When a student is first learning something new, they raise their hand to grab their professor's attention if they are confused. The student is most likely aggravated at themselves. However, it is not because they had to ask for help, rather it is for not knowing how to cope with their confusion about the material. When their teacher eventually helps the student understand what they did not process beforehand, the student feels a sense of achievement. They take pride in their newfound growth, knowledge, and understanding.

It saddens me to say that when many of my loved ones experience a difficult period of their life, including the times when many of them struggle with mental illness including (but not limited to) depression or anxiety, they are often left feeling as if reaching out for help is looked down upon by society.

I wish my loved ones would anticipate asking for help rather than suffering. Depression and anxiety are both considered as diseases, and both cause individuals severe emotional and physical pain.

I have always had a hard time asking for help, even in academic environments. Honestly, I have always had a hard time asking for anything. Therefore, when I needed help improving something as important as my mental state, I had no desire to reach out to anyone, even the individuals who I felt the closest to. Therefore, I can easily relate to those who currently feel the same way as I did. The idea of speaking about one's sadness is petrifying, especially since opening up, in general, is something that feels impossible.

Let me just express, however, how many people are not only open, but also who are willing to provide others with necessary influence, advice, and a set of open ears to listen.

As someone who has experienced depression, abuse, and anxiety, I sadly can relate to the struggles that many continue to face daily. While everyone has their own individual situations, I have learned that others who have faced similar realities are not only offering, but willing to share their own stories and words of wisdom in order to try and help someone who is suffering feel as if they are not alone.

Asking for help does not turn someone who is struggling into a failure. It does not make you incapable of reaching success on your own. Instead, asking for help actually shows a sign of extreme strength- a realization that you deserve better. It shows that rather than sulking in your sadness that you deserve to rise above your pain and suffering and strive for happiness. From the bottom of my heart, I sincerely hope that people start to realize that.