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