Content Warning: mourning, anxiety disorder
Dear friend,
My mental health journey began in middle school following the death of my grandma and the falling out of my friend group at the time. I began to feel down and anxious in a way that I had never experienced and, after my mom noticed something was wrong, she sat me down to ask me if I wanted to try seeing a therapist.
I was terrified. I didn’t feel I needed therapy, and I wasn’t even sure if I wanted it. Because no one I knew had ever been to therapy, I felt like an outsider, as though something was wrong with me that other people would judge me for. After being reluctant for a month or so, I finally gave in and met with my therapist for the first time.
To make a long story short, therapy saved my life. I was diagnosed with anxiety, which clarified why I felt so nervous at school and in large social settings. I have since learned strategies that have made me much more confident in interacting with people I don’t know.
If I hadn’t gotten the help I needed, I can imagine I would still be the shy girl who bottled up all her emotions. Mental health is something that I continue to struggle with to this day, and it peaks during exam season at school, but I now have the support and strategies I need to overcome whatever my head is telling me because I know that I am strong enough to get through anything. The important thing for every person to remember is that you are not alone in your journey, no matter how isolated you may feel. Mental health impacts everyone, including those who are struggling and those who know someone who is. Reaching out for help impacted me in a way that I didn’t know was possible, and I now encourage anyone who thinks they may be struggling to do the same. No matter how big or small you feel your problem is, you will always be worthy of receiving the help you deserve.
Thank you for reading, and remember never to be afraid to reach out for help.
