MY MENTAL HEALTH STORY CONT.
When I made the first cut, I felt relieved. It was like I could breathe. A weight had been lifted off my shoulders, only to have a piano come crashing down upon me. What had I done? Why did I do it? What if someone sees it? I had to tell someone, but I couldn’ t. I had barely earned my parents trust back to be home alone and I had already messed it up. I couldn’ t tell my therapist in fear that she would have to tell my parents. I did it a few more times before I felt as though I was going to burst open.
When I told my parents, my dad later told me that he used to self-harm in college. My 6’ 4” chemist / businessman father who has always been my hero self-harmed. That’ s when I started to realize that mental illness can affect anyone, especially the people who you least expect.
As I reached the end of my high school career, I can’ t help but wonder what kind of person would I be without mental illness? Would I have better grades? More friends? No GPA, no popularity, no college is worth losing someone to suicide. I must do something. I need to fight this cause that so many individuals are battling.
Now that I am years from the beginning of my mental health story, I have decided to overcome my anxiety and pursue a career in advocating for mental health. I still battle with anxiety and depression from time to time, but my biggest strength is to refuse to be ashamed to talk about mental health. ●
62 Depression