Depression and anxiety disorders affect thousands of teens. Many of us probably know someone who battles with a mental illness. Yet the stigma around depression, anxiety disorders, self-harm, and suicide is still vividly prevalent. People often don't feel comfortable talking about their illness in fear of being misinterpreted or stereotyped. People can't reach out to the help they desperately need because our society is taught that issues aren't serious. It's time we begin to stand up and speak out about these issues - especially when people's lives are at stake.

This past year my friend Leah has been struggling. After an attempted suicide, her family was told that the insurance company would not pay for the treatment she needed. Leah was trying so hard to get better, but she wasn't getting the care she desperately needed. The insurance company just did not care. Her mother has since started a gofundme to raise money for her daughter's treatment. The support has been overwhelming, but they still have not reached their goal. No donation is too small.

Her mother, Jennifer Barker, has been fighting hard to end the stigma. She is fiercely raising awareness of mental illnesses and encouraging others to talk out. She's lending her support to anyone else that may be struggling. It's time we join her fight. Depression is real, and it's okay to talk about it.

It's up to us to learn to reject the stereotypes, to not judge, to support people with a mental illness as we would a person with a physical illness, and to stop the stigma.