To The Person Suffering,

I've been there, too. I have had those days where my depression takes over and makes me feel weak and hopeless. I have been on dates and in social situations when something triggers my panic attacks. I have talked all of my problems out in therapy hoping to find some sort of light at the end of the tunnel by doing so. Some days are tough and other days are tougher, but I am here to tell you that there IS a light at the end of the tunnel and that you deserve the world.

I remember the days where I felt lost and hopeless, like there was nothing left for me in the world. I remember those days where I felt like I was not in control of my thoughts. It finally came to the day when I realized just how important recognizing those thoughts was in order create my own sources of happiness. The biggest struggle in finding that happiness was digging through all of the depressive thoughts and mannerisms I was accustomed to and tackling them head on. When you allow yourself time to be sad, in order to find some sort of stability, you also need to give yourself time to heal and tackle the sadness head on. Healing and confrontation within yourself is the best form of therapy you can give yourself and it allows you to find the strength that you were born with. That strength was in me to find the happiness that I truly deserved and I know it is in you, too.

Finally, just remember that you are perfect in the way that you are and that you should never be afraid to talk about what is going on in your life to someone worthy of your trust. People can be snakes, it's true, and due to our society's obsession with the Internet and having to stay connected with the world 24/7, secrets, thoughts and feelings can easily come out in the worst ways, making people feel like they can't trust anyone. I've been there before and I know it's hard. It's really sad to think that our society is so polarized that we feel as though we can't rely on our own species to give us love and support. It took months of talking out my problems to my inner circle before I felt like I could conquer the world, but if I could do it, I know you can too. No matter what the world may think you DO have a voice and you DO have the ability to talk about your flaws with the people that you love and trust. Never feel like the world is against you; instead, focus on who you have in your inner circle and talk about the issues you are dealing with. Never feel like you have to stay quiet because you are worth more than the world.

Struggling with mental health is nothing less than being human. Human beings were not made to be perfect and everyone has their flaws; it's what you do with your flaws that counts. Your beauty makes you shine and the world deserves to see that beauty. You can do this; it will all be alright.