“Take it one day at a time. Smile and impress yourself nobody else.”

Share your stigma experience.

I never thought or knew I had mental illness. I grew up with my brother, and mother suffering from mental illness. I never understood it. When I turned 17 years old, I got into a relationship that was great in the beginning. Once we moved into a place together with no roommates his abusive behavior started with me. He tore me down to nothing yet I was afraid to leave. I did EVERYTHING wrong in his eyes. I started getting really depressed and just distanced myself from everybody in my life, including my mother. When I was finally able to leave the relationship, I thought I would be better off. He still contacted me even after changing my number several times. Finally, I had enough. He ended up threatening to kill me, my family, my friends. I had nightmares of him standing above me with a knife. I have tried to go to counseling, and support groups but nothing seemed to work. I am now in a great relationship. Treated amazing but the thoughts still come up. I always question myself and bring myself down, stating I do not deserve somebody great in my life. I will overcome this with the help of my boyfriend and our families.

How did you overcome this experience?

I have not fully overcome this experience. It is something that I will live with for the rest of my life. Some people say that counseling and support groups help. I haven’t found the one yet for me. I just appreciate the people I have in my life and I appreciate waking up every morning.

Help others by sharing a brief, positive message.

Take things as they come. Try and not over think everything in life. One key saying I live by, “Take it one day at a time. Smile and impress yourself nobody else.”