To The Fighter,

I know that storms rage inside a lot of you. I know that life is tough, and it just keeps getting tougher and tougher. Sometimes it feels like there is no release from your mind or the things that you are going through.

But guess what?

You are not alone.

Mental illness. What a taboo subject. It’s that little thing that you hide away in the corner of your closet hoping no one will find. It’s the skeleton that you try to bury in the backyard. It’s the monster under your bed that you wish would just go away. But mental illness doesn’t work like that. It can’t just be hidden away and forgotten about because it affects so many, many people in this world. The bottom line is that we need to talk about it.

I want to keep up what little conversation about mental illness is out there. The stigma is so strong, and people are so scared to ask for help. Talking about mental health really can save lives. Even if just one person is touched, it is worth it, because we may have just saved one life.

Sometimes a person just needs to know they have someone in their corner who cares and is willing to help. It needs to be shared that having a mental illness does not make you crazy, psycho, insane, dangerous or — most importantly — damaged. Y

ou are never wrong for feeling whatever it is that you are feeling, but it can be hard not to feel damaged or broken. You watch so many people around you function on a daily basis without the struggle of mental illness weighing them down, and it is hard not to feel envious of their life. I know that sometimes you don’t feel worthy, strong, talented or capable enough to even go through the motions of daily life, but you ARE all of those things and even more.

People who live with a mental illness are fighters. Some days it takes all the strength you have to get out of bed, but you know what, if that is all you did today, at least you are trying and at least you are fighting for your life and fighting for yourself.

Speaking up and asking for help is the hardest, but most important step in your journey to healing. I know it can seem like the most impossible thing to do, but it will be worth it. Trust me. Learning how to conquer your battles and fight through the hard time is what will make you who you are. It will strengthen you, even when it feels like you can't go on. Having the courage to continue it one of the hardest things to do, I know that firsthand, but life can be beautiful if you know how to appreciate the simple things.

Some important things to remember while living with a mental illness is that you are AMAZING, you are STRONG, you are TALENTED and you can do ANYTHING you put your mind to. Mental illness does not make you any less of a person, you just have to learn how to live your life a little bit differently.