Thank you, to the people who have been around for years, for months, for weeks, or just a second when I walked by you on the way to class.

You have made an exponential difference in my life.

To the friends who have stuck around and supported me when I have been more than difficult to handle: thank you for never giving up on me.

Thank you for being my encouraging push, for not letting me be alone, for praying for me constantly, and for reminding me that you are always here, even when my mind takes over and I'm convinced that I'm all alone.

Thank you to the friends who have sat with me on my bedroom floor and talked me through my anxiety, who have reassured me 100 times that they will always be there for me, who have dropped everything to call when I was breaking down, who brought me Starbucks on a really bad day, and who have picked me up at 11 p.m. to blare music and drive for an hour until I calm down and get out of my own head.

Thank you, to my past relationships and friends who aren't in my life anymore, too, your time in my life made a big impact and I know it took a lot of energy some days to be patient with me. At the moment I never realize it but the close friends that have seen the brokenness and still loved me anyways are what keep me going every day. Even down to the little things, like when I can't remember your birthday or favorite color even when I've known you since freshman year of high school because my depression and anxiety have clouded my mind, or when you have to remind me in three different texts in one day that you still care about me because I have convinced myself you don't, I am so grateful.

To my family, who has been more than understanding and never given up hope on me: thank you for seeing my potential. When I couldn't see my next day and my future seemed so foggy, you reminded me of the strength and courage in my heart.

Thank you for being patient when I can't find the words and yell out of anger when it comes from a place of pure sadness.

Thank you for sitting outside my door when I wouldn't let you in, both literally and metaphorically.

Thank you for being strong for me when I have had no strength left.

Thank you for driving me to therapy appointments before I could drive myself, for being willing to help me work through the hard stuff, and not letting me get discouraged when I backpedaled and fell back into my old ways.

Thank you for letting me leave school for the weekend and stay with you countless times because I just need to get out of the college environment.

You have been my backbone, always there when I needed you.

And a final thank you to the people who may never see this — or maybe you will — I will probably never know. To the people who smile as I walk by on a day when my face probably looked pretty sad and angry, for people in my classes who small-talked with me and made me feel like I wasn't invisible, to the bus drivers who always say have a good day, and the countless others I will forget to mention or write to in this letter: You make this world a better place for me.

Fighting mental illness is an ugly, uphill battle. Days can seem so dark and lonely, but I've never truly been alone. I am blessed with a support system who never fails to remind me when I sink that they are there with a boat and a life vest.

Thank you for everything.

Editor's note: The views expressed in this article are not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.