We are so thankful for the agencies who join hands with us in our journey to help you. 

​Topcounselingschools.org shared the following graphic, which you may find insightful. As you go about your week, please take care of yourself.

Hi,

I'm a teen and I struggle with multiple mental illnesses, mostly because of my past. I have PTSD very bad from my dad and a sexual assault. I also have bipolar disorder. It's not like everyone says, it's very annoying, and hard to manage.

I have had very negative thoughts out of the blue. I, later in life, have realized there was always a underlying cause it seemed. I have been "diagnosed" with many things because I wasn't honest about things that had happened or what I was thinking. I was put on strong medication that has had long term affects with my brain. But I'm doing good now, because I was honest about things going on.

Now just because I'm doing good doesn't mean I don't have my bad days. That's what I want everyone to understand to not get upset because you had a bad day it's all about one step at a time. You fall and you come back up.

I remember when I was younger, I had no money, messed up family and everyone told me I couldn't make it. I got weird stares and rude comments. I failed in life numerous times. I tried to commient suicide twice and almost died twice. But for some reason I'm still alive. I'm now learning what my destiny will be.

I struggled for 4 years with everything you can think of: PTSD, mental illness, abuse, depression, addiction, and self harm. I lost a girlfriend to suicide in January. But, no, it hasn't stopped me yet. I'm not planning to be a police officer, but I want to help others. What I'm trying to explain is, you can come from nothing and still make it.  You can have horrible days but there is still always that chance of an amazing future and most of the time that is up to you!

Stay strong and remember :

Suicide is a permanent answer to a temporary problem!

Think about that, really think about what could happen if you try!

If no one else said they loved you today, I do, mainly because if you're reading this you're probably looking for help and that is the best step. Also, I know you're strong if you can relate to anything I've said.

Dear Teen,
Thank you for sharing your story and giving us words of hope.  It always touches my heart to see people reaching out and helping one another.  I'm sure many teens will be inspired to hear how you've persevered through tough situations and found yourself stronger. Well done, my friend, well done. 

​Days like today are hard.  

Worries and insecurities are pushing their way into my thoughts, and I just wish I could stay in bed.  

I don't feel like talking to anyone.

I don't feel like thinking about things.

I don't feel like facing the day.

But despite how I feel, I somehow manage to get up. 

I do my chores.  I send a text.  I write.

And although I don't feel as strong as I'd like to feel, I'm fighting the fight.  

Because regardless of how bad things get, a bad day does not make a bad life.

And it's the doing of these little things - in the midst of my bad day- that will eventually make me strong.

So I press on.

It's okay to have bad days, friends, everybody does.

What matters most is how we face them.

​What makes depression such a dangerous thing?  It makes you look totally normal on the outside, while it's creating havoc for you on the inside.

Even with depression, you look like everyone else. When you're having a good day, it's hard for the rest of us to tell you are struggling.  You can smile, laugh, and joke just like us; but inside your internal dialogue and view of the world is the not the same.  Inside, dark and oppressive thoughts surround and dampen your feelings of happiness, but all we see is the outside mask.

Often when we offer our help, you don't tell us everything.  You hold things back, worried to become vulnerable...worried we'll see the tangled mess inside of you and judge.

And that's what makes depression so dangerous. We know the dark place depression can take you, but we can't tell when you're headed down that path; so sometimes we aren't there when you need us the most.

Remember this when you find yourself spiraling down that dark road: We care and we want to help in any way we can.   Tell us in some form how you are feeling.  Wear a bracelet. (We have some available on our website.)  Send a text or an email.  Find a way to tell us, so we can help protect you from the lies of depression.  A bad day doesn't mean a bad life.