First and foremost. . .
Help is available!
If you’re having thoughts of hurting yourself or others, please reach out to your mental health provider
– or –
Reach Out to the National Crisis Hotline by dialing or texting 9-8-8.
When I was a little girl, I used to love drawing in class and often opted to illustrate what I envisioned as a perfect day. Bright green grass colored with a mix of Electric Lime and Granny Smith Apple crayons. A broad Sepia brown trunk with a random hole in the middle and oh! there had to be Scarlet red apples sprouting from it. Above it all, there was a Laser Lemon sun shining down on the landscape. To finish it off, I’d add in grey outlined clouds — at least four or five.
It wasn’t until I was a teenager that I looked back with amusement and realized that I’d illustrated quite the rainy day despite my efforts to do the opposite.
Mental health journeys can be that way. Sometimes, despite doing all the “right” things, we still find ourselves shrouded in darkness. It can be frustrating. It can be debilitating. It can be isolating. It can be disorienting the same way water disorients one’s perception when disturbed.
Bright Skies Ahead is a blog dedicated to helping young adults leave the shadows they’ve been fighting behind and tools for that battle can be found in on each page. This page is dedicated to admitting that there are common catalysts to the downward spirals we’re all getting dizzy riding and talking about it.
Why Are Virtual Resources Important For Those Struggling With Mental Health Issues?
There are 340 people for every 1 mental health provider in the U.S.
340:1 ratio
25% of adults
1 in 4 adults with frequent mental distress could not see a doctor due to cost, a 2% increase over the last year.
More than 5% of the U.S. adult population reported experiencing serious thoughts of suicide.
12,800,000 people
20% of youth
1 in 5 youth had at least one major depressive episode (MDE) in the past year. Over half of them – nearly 3 million youth – did not receive treatment.
“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”
– Maya Angelou
It is impossible to be perfect.
For the people who need to hear it again: It is impossible to be perfect. Understandably, society makes one feel otherwise and so does social media. Perfect pictures. Perfect families. Perfect smiles. However, coupled with the display is the feeling of inauthenticity.
If we all know that the world doesn’t naturally work through a camera lens, especially with trends such as the “what I asked for vs. reality”, then why do we still seek it?
Experiences are what enrich your story! You’re literally the main character of your story. Below, you’ll find a collection of writings that help you cope better with the ever-present mental health crisis and bounce back from anxiety, depression, eating disorders and other common ailments plaguing our society.
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Listening to Anger: Lessons from the Morning Quiet
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6 Signs Your Mental Health Journey Might Begin with Therapy