( ENSPIRE Awareness ) For Those Struggling with Their Mental Health Right Now
ENSPIRE Contributor: Marianna Poletti Reyes
Hey you,
In case you haven’t heard this yet, I understand what you’re going through…
Anxiety:
Those painful thoughts taking over your everyday tasks. Unexplainable feelings of sadness when you know your life is going so well. People telling you to “get over it”, ”move on”, “Grow up out of this phase already.” Feeling like no one’s there for you, afraid people won’t accept you, apologizing every five seconds because you’re too afraid to lose the people around you. A loss of self-confidence and self-love with a sprinkle of people-pleasing at its finest.
But you are not anxiety. You are human: you are amazing, valued, loved and worthy. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
Trauma:
Waking up in the middle of the night to make sure your door is locked. Flinching at loud noises, bruises, secrets, darkness and fear. Having the inability to trust others. Lets not forget those certain words that you hear every so often that make you relive each moment over and over again.
Your trauma doesn’t define you. Whether you were seven, fifteen, thirty, or fifty years old: I hear you, I get you. You are a survivor and you will keep surviving.
Depression:
The darkest days and darkest nights have taken over. Thunderstorms fill your head, fill your heart and fill your soul. Unable to control your emotions nor explain them. You’re all alone stuck in the same carousel of thoughts that never seem to stop. Having a never ending to-do list, yet an unmotivated heart to keep going..
Your feelings are accepted. Understand that the thunderstorm will pass, and after rain always comes a rainbow. Keep your head up and keep moving forward. You’ve got this.
To those struggling with other mental health issues…
You have the courage and power to surpass it, this life was handed to you because you were strong enough to endure it. Everything will fall into place at one point or another. Let people in, you can’t always do it on your own. Having a support system is essential. I know the world might seem like it’s falling apart right now, it won’t always feel this way, I promise. There will be highs and lows, but life is a blessing and the highs will always find their way even when they seem impossible.
To the world:
It’s the little things that can make a tremendous difference:
Text someone you know and tell them how much you appreciate them.
“Great jobs” go a long way.
Greet people with a smile.
Most importantly, be kind to others. You never know what other people might be going through. A lot can hide behind a laugh or a smile. Mental health matters.
