Around 1-7 people suffer from a mental health disorder globally. Let that sink in for a moment. Go out into a crowd and those afflicted with some form of mental health issue surround you. That statistic saddens me because so many of those individuals believe they’re entirely alone.
I have suffered from anxiety & depression for as long as I can remember, and the one thought that weighed me down the most was how alone I was. I wanted to be normal; I wanted to think normal. I didn’t want to feel sad or panicked all the time. One illness fed the other, creating a massive, miserable abyss that I lived in.
I didn’t understand or see it years ago, that I had an amazing support system in my family, and friends. I also didn’t understand that I didn’t need to let my illnesses define who I was. It was so easy to say I can’t because of my anxiety. I can’t because I’m miserable. Don’t get me wrong, I still struggle heavily with my anxiety and I’m still frustrated by how much it CAN hold me back if *I* let it. But there are many times I look at my anxiety as a dragon to be slain because it’s my personal dragon. It’s my choice to stand up to it or to hide only to fight it another day.
And you know what? I’m not alone. There are so many people around me, and even YOU [maybe you don’t know it!] that will take a stand for you. To help fight your dragons off, even if it’s just to find that cave of safety until you’re ready to end that dragon. Yeah, another one will come but with each dragon, you slay you’re stronger for it.
Just know you’re not alone. You are normal. It’s okay to not be okay. It’s okay to get help, to ask for it, and it’s okay to talk about it.
And for those who don’t suffer, but advocate for those who do, you are a hero. Take a moment to post a fact about mental health today.
Take care of yourself and stay strong
~Elle
The Blog 
Thank you for that inspiring share and info. You are an amazing young woman. You do so much and still reach out to help others .
Even got me to read fantasy and enjoy it. ; )
I appreciate being a part of your world.
Have an awesome life and keep doing it sweetie. The dark will always lurk but with your attitude and strength it will never domineer you !
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Aww, thank you. I believe there is/was a reason I went through all that I did, which is helping others.
Well, thank you for reading my stories! That means a lot, especially when you don’t read the genre.
It can’t rain all the time, J! 🙂
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