"When the rain is blowing in your face,
And the whole world is on your case,
I could offer you a warm embrace
To make you feel my love."

Life is not always a bed of roses; a walk along the rainbow; a wish upon a star. All of us, at some point of time, are bound to go through the ups and downs and the rollercoaster of life. But believe me, it is the most beautiful rollercoaster you will ever experience.

Help.

Asking for help is usually deemed as a sign of weakness, and giving help is deemed as a sign of extraordinary chivalry. In a world that is so rapidly changing, and where we are all on a quest of removing labels altogether, let us take a stance to remove the labels associated with "help," too.

Help is neither an act of weakness, nor an act of strength. Help is love. Whether you help yourself, or you help someone else, it is a beautiful act. Whether you ask for help for yourself or from yourself, it is an act that will help you grow through leaps and bounds. Whether you ask for help for someone else/on behalf of someone, or you ask for help for yourself, it shall always be an act of selflessness.

Living in a world where we are bombarded with choices, issues, and fearful incidents, it is not uncommon to lose a part of ourselves, or lose a sense of "who we are." In a quest to continually define ourselves and find out who we really are, it is easy to lose a piece of our happiness or sanity to this world. And you’re not alone. We’re all together, and that is why, we are all here to help each other, to make each other feel the love and warmth that prevails between us.

Whether it is a financial issue, a roommate issue, an academic issue, a professional issue, or a personal issue, the thing to know is that they all have solutions. And to find those solutions, it is always a great idea to talk to someone. It is a great idea to share your thoughts and feelings. Once we communicate, half of our problems get solved. Once we communicate, we come up with solutions we never thought we would. Once we communicate, we find immense power within us, and make an everlasting bond with the person we share the problem with.

It is not only okay, but also important to ask for help. The world around us is filled with people just like us, who can help us in unimaginable ways. We are lucky to have all the resources that we have, so it is a wonderful idea to make use of them. Go to your friends, your family, your Resident Assistant, your professor, your school/college counsellor, or anybody that you feel that you can confide in, and talk about how you are feeling. I promise you, the feeling that comes with unwinding is an incomparable one.

There are always a bunch of people, who love you, and live for you. It is important to get help for yourself, and for them. It is important to get help because there is so much more that you can do once you realize your full potential after you get help. Even if it means asking for help for a job, like, washing the dishes, or cooking food, ask for help. There is never a wrong time to get help.

Help can be needed in various, and all kinds of circumstances. If you think that you need help for a situation you deem as unmanageable, or one that you are not able to cope with, ask for help. I am here for you. We all are here for you. If you know someone who needs help, but won’t ask for it, don’t hesitate. If you are truly concerned about someone, ask for help.

If it is a situation where you feel like you have suicidal thoughts, or if you think that someone you know has suicidal thoughts, please ask for help. You can go to your RA, or professor, or counsellor, or family member, and get help. You can also call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to reach a 24-hour crisis center or dial 911 for immediate assistance.

Remember, it is okay to ask for help and get help, in various, and all kinds of situations. A situation does not have to necessarily be a problem, or your problem, for you to reach out and get help.

We are all here for each other, and are all here to make the world a better, healthier and a more harmonious place to live in. Please don’t hesitate. Once you communicate, you win over everything that is stopping you from being the amazing person that you are. Let’s take a step towards good mental health, and pledge, "All for one, and one for all."