Over the next couple weeks, The Baron will be highlighting some students’ mental health stories and their experiences to help bring awareness to mental illness, its many different forms, prevalence, and surprising solutions.
Katie’s story
The following may not apply to everyone with mental illness, but this is based on my journey. As someone who has dealt with, and is in recovery of, major depression, which I have previously experienced for over four years, I can attest to the value of having loved ones reach out to you.
Though we may not always feel like talking about how we’re feeling, periodically reminding your potentially struggling loved ones that you care is crucial. In all honesty, when I was having suicidal ideations, what stopped me from following through was knowing how much my friends and family loved and cared about me.
Knowing that they cared so much kept me from acting on it, as I knew it would cause my loved ones tremendous and lasting pain, and I didn’t want to be the reason for that. Eventually I got to a point where that wasn’t the only thing keeping me going, but in my lowest times it was all I had.
So even when you think your loved ones are doing okay, or at least know you care, keep reminding them; through words or actions, big or small. Even if you don’t think you’re very close with a certain person in your life, or you’re not quite sure how well you know them or how they’re feeling, keep reaching out.
Because sometimes this can make a bigger difference in their lives than you could even imagine; I know it did for me.
If you’re interested in submitting your own mental health story to be published, please send your 250 – 500 word write-up to: baronstorysubmission@gmail.com.
