What have you struggled with? When did it become too much?
I have struggled with depression and anxiety, it became to much when i had no outlets and was giving up on everything and not able to go to school. it was my senior year and I was overwhelmed and scared to not graduate with my best friend. that was the first time I couldn’t handle it.
What kind of support did you get at first? Did it work?
at first I was being sent to a outpatient program after school, I was also seeing a psychiatrist for the first time. it was helpful because I was around other people my age dealing with these things that I have not been through and there was a common level of respect there. the psychiatrist worked with me and really understood me and knew that I knew what was best.
Were there any turning points where things really started to change for the better?
when my guidance counselor advocated for me and really worked with me to help me reach my goal of graduating on time really helped me mentally because it made me feel like I wasn’t hopeless and have a chance
What’s your life like now? What have you been able to accomplish, and what are you working towards?
my life now is great, there were a lot of rough patches and moments where I though I was done. I kept on scratching and clawing my way up and beginning of 2019 I was in a place where I was ready to start working on the rest of my life. I have since obtained Recovery Support Specialist certification and a job to start supporting my self.
What would you say to people who are having a tough time? What’s helped you that you wish you had known earlier
one thing I want to say is no matter how bad it gets, there is always something to look forward to no matter how minuscule it is. the thing I’ve realized more recently is life is like a rubber band in that when your getting pulled back you are always being sent forward.
