Malika Andrews' Parents Explained: Everything to Know About Mike and Paula Andrews
Life in the Andrews household was not without intense adversity. In middle school, Malika encountered severe depression, anxiety, and a debilitating eating disorder. Her weight plummeted, her school attendance evaporated, and her internal distress began overwhelming the family. Traditional outpatient visits failed to reverse the decline.
Mike and Paula recognized that their daughter was slipping away. Facing every parent's worst nightmare, they pursued radical intervention: enrolling 14-year-old Malika in a wilderness therapy program in the Utah backcountry. The program demanded total detachment from modern amenities, forcing teenagers to hike, build shelter, and confront emotional trauma directly.
The decision devastated the family emotionally, yet Mike and Paula held their ground. After wilderness therapy, Malika moved to a therapeutic boarding school in Utah, remaining away from Oakland for three years. Mike made regular trips, maintaining constant contact and offering steady emotional anchors. The intervention proved life-saving. It allowed Malika to develop coping mechanisms, complete her high school education early at age 17, and rediscover her drive.
