Feeling empowered by others’ stories on #WorldMentalHealthDay , enough to share mine.

Only a few close friends know this, but it took me an extra year and a half to graduate from UF because of mental health struggles. I withdrew from classes in three consecutive semesters. 1/4

I was stuck in my own mind. “Pushing through it” was not a thing I could physically or mentally do. I was literally STUCK. I finally got help and saw a therapist for about a year. It was the best decision I’ve ever made, and I learned so much about myself. 2/4

I learned that it’s okay to seek help. It’s arguably more mature (not to brag nbd) ((one of my coping mechanisms is comedy in serious situations)) than just ignoring it. I’ve found that exercising your mind is more important than exercising your body. 3/4

If even one person reads this and decides to search for some sense of calm and hopefulness in their mind, then that’s more than enough. Things will be okay. Just be kind to each other. Life’s better that way. 4/4