As a transgender boy, denial and the pressure of societal standards for masculinity keep me from realizing who I truly am. After all, I prefer to keep my hair long. Fitness and sports aren’t my thing. I get easily upset while watching sad films or when I’m insulted. These are just a few of the […]
Growing up, your perception of yourself is naturally influenced by those around you – and thus, in addition to environmental influences on our mental health, the environment can drastically change how we perceive our mental health in relation to others. When I was younger, I struggled with anxious thoughts and a negative self-image. I once […]
CW: Self-harm, depression, and anxiety. I have a lot of bad habits, all varying in severity – from procrastination to my habits of cutting and skin picking, often to the point of self-injury. Both are self-destructive tendencies that harm me in some capacity, but the difference lies in the type of harm. In my opinion, […]
This information is intended for general knowledge only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult your doctor before starting any new health or exercise routines. If you’ve been on social media lately, there’s a pretty good chance you may have gotten wind of the popular fitness and wellness challenges being promoted through platforms like Instagram […]
I have a pet hamster named Viktor. Most of my past pets were hamsters. When I was little, I gave little thought to taking care of them. Instead, I left that up to my mom or older brother. I was interested in playing with them, though. It usually didn’t work out since we never formed […]
Struggling to eat, sleep, and breathe for eleven months, my chronic health condition took a toll on both my physical and mental health. My athletic performance declined and despite my efforts to fight its effects, repeated failures made it clear that my goals in rowing might not be attainable. To many, losing the ability to […]
The winter season brings lots of changes: shorter days, colder mornings, darker evenings, and holiday expectations. For many, this can be exhausting. There may be components of winter that feel exhilarating: hot cocoa, beautiful holiday lights, and the prospect of excessive snowfall. However, this season can bring a variety of adversities for several individuals. If […]
CW: Mentions of suicide. The holiday season is fast approaching and the “merry” and “cheerful” energy is in full effect in every shop window and commercial on T.V. However, for many, the holiday season isn’t always a joyous time. The impact of the holiday season on mental health often goes unspoken. November and December may […]
CW: Mentions of suicide/suicidal ideation, depression, and self-harm. Since I was in fourth grade, I’ve been enrolled in many different mental health treatments for my struggles with anxiety, eating, self-image, depression, trauma, and self-harm. Sometimes, I’ll mention something casually in conversation that might confuse someone who hasn’t been through treatment themselves. Their puzzled [...]
Talking about mental health is challenging, especially when you grow up in a community where it feels like no one talks about it at all. In Hispanic families, there’s often an unspoken rule to keep struggles to yourself, push through, and not show “weakness.” I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve heard, “échale ganas” […]
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