Dear every girl struggling with self image or depression,

You are not alone.

First, I want to tell you how proud of you I am for clicking on this letter. It takes a lot of courage to admit you're feeling depressed, even if it's only to yourself right now. Not a lot of people truly understand mental health. They say, “oh, life isn't fair.” Or “speak up, voice how you feel.” But it's not that easy.Your family loves you, but sometimes they just don't understand.I know how it feels, to not want to get up in the morning and get ready for school, or not want to eat, sleeping all day..or barely sleeping at all.

I've been there, and you're not alone.

But, the fruit of depression is a lot more. You feel like you can't move, can't think..you don't want to smile and you don't want to even be visible. You cry, every day, asking God “when will this get better…when will I be myself again?” You’re afraid to go to school because the girl in your English class keeps laughing at you because you get nervous when the teacher asks you to read, you're afraid of what everyone will say about your voice when it cracks. You smile, but little does your teacher know, you have tears in your eyes and your throat is all choked up by time you've finished the first two sentences.

You wake up every morning, trying to do your makeup and your hair perfectly, because all the girls at school are so pretty and you think you are so…not. You start to criticize your body, because everyone else is so attractive, you're drawn to that personal image..

So you try to make yourself like, everyone else.

Trust me, I've been there. I have felt like I wanted to give up..I've laid in my bed at night staring at the ceiling contemplating everything going wrong in my life. People think it's not real, and you're just trying to receive attention. But it's real.

It is so real.

But listen to me when I say this… You are SO much more than just a bad self image.

You are beautiful, and I know it will take more than this letter, for some of you to believe that.

But life is beautifully imperfect. You will have rocky roads, ups and downs, at times you will feel like you are on this terrifying roller coaster and you just want it to stop. It's hard. But, when you step back and take a look at it, you are here for a reason. Next time the sun is setting on a summer night, look at it. Look at everything surrounding you, look at the way the colors mix together and think long and hard about how you are stuck in the middle of all this beautiful, madness. No matter what you believe in, a god or not, you are here for a reason and you are never a mistake. Cherish your family, friends, and loved ones. Keep them close. They will help you through this crazy thing you call life.

Right now, you may feel like your whole world is falling apart…but I promise..

This too shall pass.

You are not crazy, we are not on this earth to see through one another..but to see one another through. You can survive through this. I know it is easier said than done…but even though I do not know half of the people who are going to read this..you are so important.

It will take a while, maybe weeks, months..but eventually you will start feeling like you again.

You will start to enjoy the things you used to love. You'll start to look at all the positives that life offers you instead of the negatives that have been thrown your way. You'll start noticing those small things that make you happy and you won't take them for granted. Because you know too well what being unhappy feels like.

Whatever you're going through, understand that the pain won't last forever.

“It may get worse before it gets better, but it WILL get better.” –Debby Ryan

“The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.” Psalm 34:17

Depression/Suicide hotline:

1-877-480-1389

XOXO,

Hannah :-