Therapy is one of the most stigmatized things in the mental health category.

According to society, a person has to be "crazy" or "insane" in order to receive therapy.

Well, guess what?

Society is wrong.

Believe it or not, I have been going to therapy for 3 1/2 years now. I am fairly certain that I am not insane or crazy. I am just a person who needs a little help getting through the "tough stuff" of life.

I have struggled with anxiety and depression for at least six years. These past two months, November and December were very hard as I battled through one of my deepest depressive episodes I've ever had. I isolated myself and didn't let many know what was going on.

During this time I stopped going to some of my college classes, I relapsed with self harm, and was being very closely monitored by those whom I told. Unfortunately due to some miscommunication and unexpected circumstances, I was unable to receive the counseling I needed for part of this time.

No big deal, right?

Wrong. Big time.

Going to therapy has helped me learn coping skills to work through my anxiety and depression. It has helped me learn alternatives to self harm, how to accept myself for who I am, distance myself from toxic people in my life, and most of all, it has shown me how much worth I have. Don't get me wrong, it's taken a long time to get to where I am, as well as working with several therapists until I found one I connected with. It's hard work, but it's so worth it.

Mental illness and therapy are nothing to be ashamed about, nor are they anything to take lightly. Like I said, I go to therapy to work through the "tough stuff". I am not afraid to speak about it or any of my illnesses. The more it's talked about, the less stigma that surrounds it.

If you are someone who struggles as well, know that you are not alone. Don't suffer in silence. Get help. You are worth it. If you think you would benefit from going to therapy, whether you have a diagnosed mental illness, or you just want to talk about some hard stuff going on, try it. The worse thing that can happen is you decide it isn't for you. In that care, find someone you trust, and talk to them. TALKING HELPS, especially when you don't feel like talking. That's usually when you need it the most.

I wish you all the best.

Don't stop believing in yourself.

I believe in you.

YOU are worth it.

"Nothing worth doing is ever easy! YOU are strong enough and tough enough to handle "hard" ...stare "hard" situations in the face and let them know you will not be taken down easy!"