Content warning: Mentions of suicide, and suicide ideation. In September 2018, I tried to intentionally end my life for the first time. Something in my brain suddenly snapped and I became acutely suicidal. I felt like I was a plague that only caused harm to others around me. I eventually suffered a mental breakdown, and […]
The following blog discusses difficult topics of eating disorders, treatment, and hopeful recovery from the perspective of one individual. Keep in mind that recognizing and seeking treatment for an eating disorder is a journey that looks different for everyone. If you are struggling or in crisis, please call or text “988” or chat online at […]
CW: Mention of hate crimes, AIDS, slavery, and racism. June is a big month for awareness and commemoration events. It can be hard to take in a lot of information about these important occasions, so let’s break down a few of them. You probably already know that June is Pride Month, which is dedicated to […]
It’s a common experience: you fall in love with a hobby, craft, or pastime, but when you see others excelling and perfecting it, you decide to quit while you’re ahead. Maybe you were comparing yourself to others too much, or you didn’t think it was worth it to practice something if you were never going […]
Did you know that the last time the United States Government released a national strategy on suicide prevention was in 2012? That’s 12 years since the nation has had an updated and comprehensive outline that can guide us in the fight to prevent suicide. Recently, the Biden-Harris Administration released a new National Strategy for Suicide […]
CW: Mention of Bipolar Disorder, mentions of depression and mania. When I first asked my mother to see a therapist, I was 14. She looked at me with a bewildered look in her eye and proceeded to tell me “We’re Cuban, we don’t do therapy”. From that moment on, I was convinced that Hispanic people […]
Last October, I was sitting in my dorm room when intense stabs of pain suddenly lit my stomach like a camera flash. My stomach pounded while I called an ambulance. When the firemen arrived, I could barely get out of bed without collapsing and quickly vomited. After several ER visits and a hospital stay, I […]
Spring is upon us, friends! Which means two things: pollen and pig styes. While it sounds aggressive, the truth is that most of us are in desperate need of a spring cleaning. Our physical environments can directly impact our mental states, so much so that multiple scientific studies have proven this. The most important thing […]
Graduation balloons fill living rooms and college dorms echo with the sounds of packing tape. It’s the start of summer, and for many young people, this time signifies the start of big life transitions. Amidst the bittersweet goodbyes and nostalgic reflections, a sense of anticipation fills the air. Change is hard but it also opens […]
When I was 11, I was diagnosed with severe Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). At the time, I didn’t know how to handle it. I started medication and went to therapy, but what helped the most was having a supportive family and community around me. I didn’t realize how lucky I […]