Your feelings are valid. Your pain is not any less real because it is invisible. Let’s start protecting our mind like we protect the...

I have always had trouble accepting and moving on from the trauma and pain of my past. Its affected me, it is apart of my life but it...

It’s hard to explain to those that don’t know, what it is like to lose a friend to suicide. It’s hard to accept that kind of loss or describe the unavoidable hole that’s left behind. It’s hard to express the lingering sadness that transforms itself over time, attaching to your ribs so it can breath with you; never truly leaving the insides you try so desperately to protect. On average, 123 Americans die by suicide each day. Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among 15-2

Mom and Dad, you mean so much to me. I can’t thank you enough for all that you’ve done for me, especially adopting me. I’m aware that you put thought into adopting both Emma and me. You were aware that there were definitely going to be bumps in the road. You both are incredibly strong, and I look up to you and your ways. You inspire me to keep living. Life is rough, really rough sometimes, don’t get me wrong. Mom and Dad, you amaze me every day with how you grow and spread yo

After being in residential care for about five months, I have made tremendous progress and growth. I can feel the difference, and I feel a lot better. Part of recovery is making your way uphill, getting better; however, some days you go down a little and then work your way back up. This is normal and totally okay. I still experience bad days, but that's just a part of life. Thanks to a friend, Forrest, I have learned that during the bad days, we can become more appreciative o

Depression is like being isolated in the middle of the sea. It’s dark, entirely blacked out. You don’t know if you’re a couple of meters deep, or sinking like a magnet. You have no idea what’s around you. Constantly afraid of danger. Yet the thought of dying doesn’t frighten you. You’re suffocating, drowning. There is no air, no escape. And eventually, you learn not to fight back anymore. You surrender. And sink deeper. You can feel the happiness leaving your body like air le

According to the World Health Organization, mental health is “a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community.” In my own words mental health means the health of the mind just like physical health means the health of the body. Mental health - our feelings, thoughts, mood, actions, and behavior are affec