Dear friends,

Yes, you are my friends, whether we see each other every day or you have simply shared a smile on the way to class; whether you gave me a hug on a dreary day or held me as I ugly cried into your chest.

Whatever it was, you had a part in getting me here today.

Thank you.

Thank you for staying by my side when I most needed a friend. Thank you for making me choose hope and help even if I was kicking and screaming the whole time. Thank you for pulling me out of my world of darkness and rescuing me from rock bottom again and again. Thank you for coming into my darkness and being the light I needed to keep going. Thank you for your prayers that gave me a reason to hope.

You see, there is a stigma that comes along with mental illness. There is a stigma that comes along with being depressed or anxious or suicidal. It is shameful and embarrassing and makes it a million times harder to reach out. It makes it a million times harder to keep our heads up in a world that has already knocked us down over and over and over again.

I have reached out for help and have been left to fall by many people. My trust has been broken, my courage and strength deteriorated. But you, yes you, held on when I finally got myself to reach out, and it was not as scary as I thought it would be. Through the tears, the overreactions, the irrational emotions, the temptations to turn back to bad habits, and all of the dreary days, you have stood by my side in one way or another. And for that, I will never be able to fully thank you for.

You do not know what it means to have someone believe in you and your abilities after years of believing in everything but your own worthiness. You do not know what it means to be told that your life matters after years of believing in everything but your own power to make a difference in the lives of others. But that, friends, is what you taught me.

You have taught me that I am loved. I am good enough. My life matters. I have the power to change lives. I am strong enough to fight this. You have taught me this and so much more.

Thank you. Thank you for opening my eyes to a world that is not so dark and gloomy, a world that is full of hope instead of despair. Thank you for holding my hand and walking alongside me (Just kidding, you probably had to drag me) on the path to better and brighter days. Thank you for dealing with my stubbornness and not getting too frustrated. Thank you for leading me to the foot of the cross and showing me where to find comfort, rest and true hope. Thank you for not letting me give up, but most of all, thank you for loving me in my brokenness.

I truly believe I would not be here today without the impact each and every one of you has made on my life, big or small. You have given me a piece of hope and light, a blessing in which I hope I have returned to you in one way or another.

Thank you for existing, because I may not be if you weren't.

Love always,

A broken girl trying to find her way home