Emma C.

Photography by Jadin Nassif

If you’re reading this, know that it is okay to ask for help.

I have always been the type of person to conceal my emotions and keep everything to myself. As the years progressed, this became more and more damaging to my mental health. I began closing myself off from friends and family when I was no longer able to fake a smile and conceal the way I had been feeling for so long. I told myself that these are my problems and that it would be selfish of me to push them onto someone else. It was not until I let my mental health reach an all-time low that I finally spoke out and asked for help.

Mental health was never a struggle of mine until my first semester of college. I had always been a very lighthearted person and was told often that my happiness rubbed off on others. I knew a few people struggling with anxiety and depression at the time, but never understood the full extent of the effects it has on a person. My anxiety and depression came on so fast that I didn’t understand what was going on. My life completely turned around and everything changed. I began doing things I never had done before like overthinking everything, crying myself to sleep, and constantly feeling hopeless. For several months, I hid my emotions from everyone around me. I would sleep for the majority of the day and make excuses to not hang out with my friends so that I wouldn’t have to pretend to be okay. I struggled even more because I couldn’t pinpoint a certain event or circumstance that triggered my feelings. I was terrified at the possibility of people thinking I was weak, and I did not want my anxiety and depression to define me. I didn’t want anyone to see the extent of my struggles so instead, I allowed myself to suffer for months before asking for help.

I have realized that mental health will always be a struggle for me, but I have also realized that I have the choice to actively work on improvement. For a while, I let my anxiety and depression control my life. I wasn’t doing anything beneficial or productive for myself. I have been struggling with these disorders for over a year now but didn’t get help until recently.

I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for my friends and family who have loved and helped me along the way, but ultimately it is a personal choice to get better. While anxiety and depression make tasks that seem easy to others more difficult, they are not impossible with the proper help.

Asking for help is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength. Acknowledging your need for help is one of the strongest things a person can do. So, if you’re reading this, don’t be afraid of asking for help. Don’t feel shame for asking for help. Don’t beat yourself up for needing help.

Emma C., University of South Carolina

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