‘It’s not who I am. It’s just something I have.’ Author opens up about schizophrenia

Author Samantha Mercanti chats with Bob Cowan on Morning Live about her new memoir, Embracing Schizophrenia: My Story of Struggle, Strength, Resilience and Hope.

Schizophrenia is a mental illness that affects how a person thinks, feels and behaves. Mercanti was diagnosed with schizophrenia in her early 20s and since then, she has learned to find beauty and joy as she lives with this condition.

“I don’t really think of my illness as all of me,” Mercanti said. “It’s not who I am. It’s just something I have. I haven’t let the diagnosis of schizophrenia come into everything in my life. I embraced it, I accepted it and I realized it’s an illness I have and not something that’s going to define me.”

Mercanti writes in her book that this mental disorder has taught her many lessons such as the importance of empathy.

“It made me realize that everyone struggles,” Mercanti said. “Treat people with kindness because you never know what someone’s going through.”

While she believes that taking medication to treat schizophrenia is a personal choice, Mercanti said that medication and exercise have helped her to manage it and thrive in life. Mercanti has degrees in chemistry and applied mathematics and is currently an MBA candidate at McMaster University’s DeGroote School of Business.

The book also includes reflections from her family and friends. These contributions offer insight for those supporting someone with a mental disorder and help anyone who feels alone in their illness to understand that they are never truly alone.

Embracing Schizophrenia: My Story of Struggle, Strength, Resilience and Hope is available on her website, Amazon or by email at samanthadmercanti@gmail.com.