Greta
on
Since elementary school, I’ve been a perfectionist with a strong work ethic. Some of my earliest memories go back to kindergarten, where I would volunteer to help my teacher clean up supplies from the day. Over time, my desire for perfection intensified. I wanted to be remembered as a student who worked harder than anyone […]
Grace H
on
I always saw physical and mental health as being separate until my anxiety got really bad and I noticed that I was getting sick more often. I’ve always had a lot of health anxiety, so in therapy, I identified a cycle: I would have anxiety about my stomach hurting, which would cause my stomach to […]
Charlotte
on
Exactly four days before the COVID-19 shutdown began, my world came crashing down when my dad passed away. During this time, I was stuck at home and rotting in bed all day. I desperately wanted to inform my friends about what was going on in my life, but I felt like no one would understand […]
Ayaan
on
When I started at a new school last school year, it definitely wasn’t easy. Going into a new environment where I knew no one, I often felt like an outsider and didn’t think I could ever find my people. There’s one issue that I experienced firsthand that is rarely talked about, and even when it […]
Sammantha
on
“When we protect ourselves so we won’t feel pain, that protection becomes like armor, like armor that imprisons the softness of the heart” – Pema Chodron Most people experience pain that may never be spoken about. For some of us, that pain causes mental health concerns, such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). […]
Natalia
on
CW: Self-injury, depression and anxiety, mania, substance use, suicidality, and suicide ideation. Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a mental health condition characterized by extreme mood swings, abandonment anxiety, self-injury, and suicidality. BPD has consistently been misrepresented in the media as a mental health condition that is characterized as “crazy” or “erratic”. Characters [...]
Mackenzie H.
on
Navigating mental illness is the hardest thing I have ever worked through. Having struggled with numerous illnesses and episodes over the years, I can safely say that I would happily choose to be free of my mental health struggles. However, dealing with depression has only made me stronger and has taught me lifelong lessons that […]
Greta
on
Last fall, I was diagnosed with several mental illnesses that shaped my mental health support, therapy, and treatment plans. Psychiatrists diagnosed me with major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, an unspecified eating disorder, and bipolar disorder. Through my own experiences, I’ve learned that getting a health diagnosis can be challenging–but [...]
Trace
on
At 14, I started to advocate for mental health by sharing my struggles with suicidal ideation, depression, and anxiety publicly. Whether in classrooms, on panels, or before cameras, I welcomed the opportunity to educate and empower others by helping to destigmatize conversations and inspire recovery. However, over time, I started to have negative experiences. During […]
Katherine
on
CW: Struggles with mental health and hospitalization. When I was struggling with my mental health, I hid behind the exclusive identity of mental illness. I told almost everyone about my struggles unprompted and avoided making new friends due to my tendency to project my problems onto others. Viewing myself solely as someone who was ill, […]