Hi my name is Peter and I am a survivor or trying to be. I suffer from Mdd, OCD, social anxiety disorder. I am 46 yrs old now I am trying to understand why all these things are happening to me at this time in my life, when I was younger I didn’t notice some of these things for example: my ocd was not as bad but my family was well aware because they would point out some of my behaviors,my depression got worse as I got older and my social anxiety I didn’t notice because I was always drunk. I’ve been sober 8 years, now and I am trying different meds with my doctor to find what will work for me some of my symptoms are getting better. and I have good family support and counselor all I am saying is we all need to be here to support each other we are not alone and I want to be able to also be there to help if anyone needs to talk or needs someone to listen,because I know I sometimes need someone other than the people that surround me at the moment. God Bless everyone and lets all keep hope and our heads up we are all winners.

                                                                                                                                     Always a Friend

                                                                                                                                         Peter

Last month, two of my best friends took their lives. The one that affected me the most was JP. He did it in ascension day and it got me thinking…. I saw a quote about us being angels who want to go home,,, well,, he finally went home. I accepted what happened by knowing he won’t be in pain anymore, and I hope that he is happy wherever he ends up.. accepting helps a lot, and is the first step to getting better. JP and Veronica got me to realize that I cannot give up, my battle is not over yet and I want to get better. I will keep trying every day to get better, and I will do it for them.They would have wanted me to keep trying to get better.

Sometimes the trauma we experience is not definable in terms of scientific research or assessments. Sometimes depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues are never actually diagnosed but somehow those of us who experience these issues deal with them on a daily basis and find inspiration and hope in our communities and inside ourselves.  

I, like many others, have experienced multiple traumas in my life including rape, abandonment, intimate partner violence, a diagnosis of a “terminal” disease, homelessness, and drug addiction.  Yet, somehow, I have made it through these experiences and found help along the way.  Not from the system of care (as many of us know, the system of care is not really designed to “care”), I found help in the support and love from others who have also experienced similar things.  It is their courage and compassion that gave me the strength to keep moving forward.  It is their determination and insight that helped me work through the pain and fear.  

I am forever grateful for those who guided me along the way.  Your support will never be forgotten.  Your support helped me to not only find a new way to live but to follow my passion and help others.  Even though I have been dragged through the mud, I know my worth and value has not changed.  Today, I am working on a PhD. and hope that the work I do, the community bridges from research and academia to the real world I build, can help inspire others.  May you find love and peace in your hearts

Mental illnesses are difficult to deal with. Many people have them of all ages too. And even if you have the same illness as someone else they are very different so I can’t tell you what to do about it I’m not a therapist but I can tell you my story (so far!) and hope it gives someone inspiration.

My name is Athena and I am dealing with severe depression and don’t want to accept it even saying it, is weird but it is there and it is a struggle because when every day all you can do is look at the bad things and look in the future and only see the memories you will NOT make is difficult none the less but I manage on my own. I haven’t told anyone its a secrecy and no I don’t take medication I just find something to distract me I go on YouTube or find a hobby even sitting in the garden is stress relieving I can’t say it will work for everyone but maybe it will. I have tried to commit suicide but its okay . Sometimes I just think positively and it can be really hard to do but I do it I think if the future isn’t here yet then how can I know what will happen I know I’m safe no matter what . Nothing in my life really is looking up but I’m not gonna give up , neither should you because who knows? Maybe a miracle is waiting just around the corner!

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I just want to talk to people about my mental health struggles throughout my life and how I’ve overcome each and everyone of these hurdles and how I could be inspiration to others. Through the power of open and honest communication and never giving up on oneself I’ll be honored to talk about my struggles but also my hope that I can give people that are struggling today day with things that they cannot control in the midst of the coronavirus

I struggle with depression, anxiety, and PTSD on a daily basis. I started to get hope when one of my favorite actors came out with his Always Keep Fighting campaign that benefited TWLOHA. He came out about his own struggles, and hearing that such a well known actor struggled made me realize that I wasn’t alone and that anyone could struggle. I’ve struggled with mental illness since I was a Junior in high school, I’m now 26 years old. I have learned to use my voice and spread awareness in hopes that my story can help someone else in their daily struggle. But since the AKF it has came close to me, especially the fandom it has created being able to connect with so many who actually understand what I go through daily and who are there to show support it means a lot to me. I have learned what helps me cope through my day to day life. One thing being art and coloring, it helps me cope and helps my struggle become easier. 

In the last few years it took many months and countless attacks to finally believe in a simple phrase. The darkness held its ground, but my escape of writing spread through the cracks of its foundation and shined light in places unimaginable. Each letter formed, slowly chipped away at the infrastructure fear had on me. Investing time in a different perspective allowed self forgiveness to repaint over personal colors who have turned dull. The pivotal point in my journey was accepting the fact that it’s okay. 

It’s okay for people to have blind eyes to what you are going through. It’s a beautiful sight you offer when seeing how much courage you hold by facing persistent, unwelcoming storms. What you feel and witness on a daily level could not be imagined by many, yet you stand tall in the face of fear. You are both a breathing miracle and blessing to the souls you touch.

It’s okay to feel every ounce of emotion that surrounds you in unwilling hours. It means you’re alive and still fighting. Acceptance allow you to grow, and in time heal wounds formed from mental storms.You may feel like you’re drowning now, but in clear skies you will stand on the peaks of mountain tops. The powerful rays of the sun reflect on your skin, and in time you have another opportunity to display your courage.

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And I knew I wasn’t right 

So I planned on going that Friday night 

And I knew I wasn’t okay

Making it the perfect place for me to stay 

See, for most, a mental hospital isn’t a choice 

It’s one of those things where you are left without a voice 

Brought there suddenly against your will

Then before you know it, you are given a bunch of random pills 

But for me, it was where I was supposed to be

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