Habits don’t have to be permanent

How Seqininnguaq Poulsen is changing the way we see our mental health

Written By Ella Edwards

Cardigan by R13. Top by UO. Pants, talent’s own. Hat, stylist own. Necklaces from top: Onyx necklace and silver chain by WWW.WILLSHOTT , ID Necklace by PATTARAPHAN. On left hand: Silver ring by WWW.WILLSHOTT. Shoes by DR. MARTENS. 

For decades, the stigma surrounding mental illness has prevented so many from seeking the care they need and has led to a continuing cycle of untreated disorders. This perpetual cycle has played out time and again across varying communities and cultures around the world. After seeing generations of mental health neglect by those around them, 20 year-old "Seqinnguaq Poulsen, Indigenous rights and mental health activist,

dedicated themself to stopping the cycle. 

Growing up in Greenland, Poulsen found a love for their culture at an early age. "A really big part of me is being Indigenous. You can see it on my face,” Poulsen explains, pointing out the array of tattoos that decorate their body. The tattoos on their face were done when they turned 18, a symbol of their coming of age and a tangible representation of their pride in their family, their culture, and their people. 

Their love for their culture began at an early age as did their desire to be outspoken about it. "My mom works in human rights and Indigenous rights. I grew up with that, but [for me] the activism just happened. I wanted to work with Indigenous rights without it being ‘activism.’” At 16, Poulsen was asked to co-write a book about their expertise on Indigenious rights, which was followed by a book launch at the U.N. “Suddenly I got asked to do all of these things and I was an activist. It wasn't something I wished for. It just happened." 

Cardigan by R13. Top by UO. Pants, talent’s own. Hat, stylist own. Necklaces from top: Onyx necklace and silver chain by WWW.WILLSHOTT , ID Necklace by PATTARAPHAN. On left hand: Silver ring by WWW.WILLSHOTT. Shoes by DR. MARTENS. 

Poulsen also uses art as a vehicle to express themself. "I have loved painting since I was a child and started making art when I was 13.” At first, they were insecure about their art, not wanting to show anyone. But to build confidence, they pushed themself to start posting online. The push to post paid off, as Poulsen's artwork, along with their activism, has gained them close to 10,000 followers on Instagram. "I'm in art school now and started with only watercolor, but now I am trying a bunch of new things and still in the process of finding my style." 

Poulsen posts their designs both on Instagram and their eCommerce shop, combining their love for activism with their love of art. Their art confronts mental health, Indigenous rights, and other global issues. "There is a lot you can do with art. Art is a language that everybody understands. Activism can be very academic whereas art can be a way to visualize things in a way so that everyone can get what's happening." 

Poulsen has also used art to normalize their personal struggles with mental health and inspire their community to get help. "I didn't know anything about mental health as a kid. But I remember when I was around 15 years old I realized I had depression. I knew there was something depressive in me but nobody understood me or wanted to believe me because I was a kid.” Poulsen struggled throughout their teen years, and viewed the way they felt as just part of their trauma. Their therapist then told them they have depression. Later, Poulsen was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Over time and with the help of a new therapist, Poulsen learned how to take care of themself and cope with their disorder. “That's when I started to take care of my boundaries, not only when it came to my disorder but also just as a completely normal human being as well."

From having their original depressive habits invalidated to now accepting their disorder, Poulsen has seen firsthand the stigma surrounding mental health and how dangerous it can be. "I believe it's misinformation. Before getting my diagnosis, I did not know anything about bipolar disorder, borderline [personality disorder] or schizophrenia. Without knowing anyone with bipolar disorder and without information on it, there was a stigma surrounding my mental health. Now that I have been diagnosed and met more people with mental illnesses, you realize they are all human beings also struggling."

Sweater by ADVISRY. Turtleneck by AFRM. Cami, talent’s own. Hat, stylist own. Necklaces from top: Silver chain by WWW.WILLSHOTT , ID Necklace by PATTARAPHAN. 

Even now, having been educated on the topic, Poulsen understands why it can be so challenging to come forward about mental health struggles. "In Greenland, something that makes it hard to ask for help is generational trauma. Our parents and grandparents grew up not talking about feelings. If we talk about trauma, we fall down. My grandmother had a lot of trauma and wouldn't talk about it because they wouldn't be able to handle falling apart and having to go through it without help. It's hard to reach out because nobody wants to talk about it."

Watching generational trauma affect the people closest to them pushed Poulsen to be outspoken about their mental health. "I want to break that generational trauma [cycle] and be someone who says, ‘it's completely okay to fall apart.’”

Being outspoken has not been easy for Poulsen. "Activism can be stressful, especially in Greenland.” As they have come forward with their struggles with mental health, Poulsen has faced constant backlash, a response that has made it difficult for them to be open and vulnerable with their large audience. Poulsen says that the positive feedback they have received from followers on Instagram has outweighed the negativity. "It gives me strength to carry on when people thank me for my activism and tell me I have helped them finally feel understood." 

Poulsen continues their mental health journey, growing as a person and their understanding of their disorder. Right now, they are unclear about the future. "I don't know if I'll be an artist. When it comes to mental health, I could be super stable or at my worst. There is uncertainty. It's scary, but it's one of those things I have to take day by day and have faith in myself." Poulsen may be unclear about their future but it is clear that they have made an invaluable difference to those around them – for the people of Greenland and for their followers around the world on Instagram. With every post, every piece of work, every leap of faith, and expression of vulnerability, Poulsen reminds their followers of their power and the lengths they can reach when they channel their inner strength. 

Photographer: Ashley Thompson

Stylist: Bernadet Davood

Producer: Lucy Ivey

Production assistant: Ella Edwards

Hair: Mariah Molina 

Makeup: Danielle Parkes

Studio: Blonde and Co

Graphic Design: Charlie Sue 

On set assistant: Hannah- Mia Hinds 

Writers: Ella Edwards, Lucy Ivey

Fashion assistant: Tati Dominguez 

Videographer: Alex Dekelbaum