“Your mental illness does not make you less than those without.”

Share your stigma experience.

What I heard at the age of 16 when I asked my dad to take me in to the doctor for the depression that had been eating at me for over a year without me speaking up was; “Everyone has some sad days. It doesn’t mean you have depression or that you need medicine for it. Deal with it the way everyone else does and go out with friends or something. Maybe if you didn’t sit in your room all the time, you wouldn’t be so sad.”

Even now, over 2 years later, I feel like I need to tell people about my depression before I get too attached because it seems like when they find out they run. 

How did you overcome this experience?

Eventually, I asked my grandma to help me instead. When she did, I finally got a bit of the help I needed in order to get my life balanced.

Help others by sharing a brief, positive message.

Your mental illness does not make you less than those without. You are so amazing. Please don’t forget that.