Break the Stigma

Being in college right after high school is not easy. You have to figure out life on your own. You have to get a job, take out loans, focus on classes, make social time, and still try to make college the best years of your life. That's a lot of stuff thrown onto someone who is still technically a child. Now, let's throw someone who struggles from mental illness into the mix. That child is a total wreck

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It's me. I am the child that is a total wreck. I had to learn fast that it is perfectly okay to not be okay. It's okay to break down sometimes. It's okay to take a day just to gather your thoughts by yourself. It's okay to not be the goofy person day in and day out. It's okay.

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I took the hard way out to get help. I struggled by myself for almost a year. I refused to tell anyone how I felt, but then I realized.. it's okay to not always be happy. I finally started to come out & talk about everything. But, then.. I got the hatred to it. The part where "If you really struggle with anxiety and depression you aren't open about it that often, so you don't really understand" But, the hate I got was from the people who didn't know that I struggle with major depressive disorder that comes in episodic form. I struggle with severe anxiety disorder. I struggle, just like them. But, I want to make a difference. I want to make it understood that it's okay to talk about how you feel.

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Stop hating the people who struggle, but want to talk about it. Most of our therapists today are therapists because they have been through what we are going through. They can help us talk because they understand our thoughts. We don't hate them for doing their jobs, so stop hating regular people for choosing to be open about their struggles. Break the stigma. It's okay to not be okay. It's okay to try & help others who struggle. We aren't alone, so stop trying to shun the people who want to make that known.