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Help and HopeSeptember 14, 2021

HELP AND HOPE

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Hey there!

Let me throw some love at you real quick — and if you’re like me and bad at taking compliments, remember to suck it up and let me shower you with well-deserved reminders of love and your own strength. Thank you in advance 😉

You are whole.

You are loved.

You are strong.

You are beautiful.

You are YOU, which is an irreplaceable, indescribably incredible gift.

Now you try:

I am whole.

I am loved.

I am strong!!!

I am beautiful.

I am ME, which is an irreplaceable, indescribably incredible gift.

Yes you are!

Life is hard…really, really hard sometimes. Nobody really tells you that growing up — that life can really, truly, utterly suck at times. And then, suddenly you’re alone, SO sad, confused as to why you’re SO sad with no idea how to escape this sadness.

While that swallowing feeling of darkness is incredibly overwhelming and all consuming, I want you to know you’re not alone and that having these feelings is okay and normal. Of course, life is going to be incredibly hard at times, especially when we have our own neurological chemical makeup working against us at times. Because of the inevitable difficulty that comes with life, we need to remember to be gentle with ourselves — let ourselves lean on others, ask for help when we need it (again this is a strength not a weakness) and prioritize our wellbeing.

The concept of a moment is so interesting to me: one moment can feel like it lasts forever while another passes by in the blink of an eye. I often find that my depressive episode ‘moments’ are more like the former but that doesn’t make it any less of a valid moment. That being said, mental health struggles are so real, so valid and can be all-consuming.

But while moments of darkness and despair come and go, there is also an infinite source of yellow, love and light-filled moments to come as well. The two exist like yin and yang; the dark makes us appreciate the light, while the good makes the bad seem that much more intense. One cannot exist without the other, and neither are any less real or important.

I want to provide a trusted list of resources for all of you to connect with or reach out to when the darkness trickles in. These resources are here constantly, beyond just the moments of despair. There are confidential, trustworthy and supportive organizations that will provide you immediate tools for self-care and self-help.

You are not alone. You are not a burden. You are loved and filled with light, even when you cannot feel it. Now begin prioritizing your wellbeing and reach out to receive the help that you deserve. You should never feel that your problem is too small or insignificant to ask for support.

So much love to you all. I recognize you and I value and appreciate you so much.

Cheers,

Julia

Resources:

CRISIS TEXT LINE

Text “Brave” to 741-741

Free 24/7 support for anyone in crisis. A real-life human being will receive the text and respond, all from a secure online platform. This trained volunteer crisis counselor will help you move from a hot moment to a cool moment.

(I have used this text line before and was received by a kind and supportive responder who helped me deescalate from a depressive moment. I especially like that I could just text and receive help without having to communicate over the phone)

NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE

Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

Free 24/7 support for anyone in suicidal crisis. Call for yourself or for someone you care about. Your call is free and confidential.

NATIONAL SEXUAL ASSAULT HOTLINE

1-800-656-HOPE (4673)

Free, confidential, 24/7. Chat option available at rainn.org.

TREVOR PROJECT

1-866-488-7386

Free, confidential and open 24/7. Crisis intervention and suicide prevention services for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people. To view info on other services (like text and chat options) and times of availability, visit thetrevorproject.org.

NATIONAL EATING DISORDERS ASSOCIATION HELPLINE

1-800-931-2237

Free and confidential. Chat option available at nedawareness.org.

LOVELAND FOUNDATION:

The Loveland Therapy Fund provides financial assistance to Black women and girls nationally who are seeking therapy. For more information and assistance, visit their website here.

Along with the organizations listed above, I want to connect people with BIPOC Mental Health Resources supplied by NAMI. These are curated for supporting community members who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color – and to promote anti-racism. Nobody should feel alone or excluded when receiving help — and I want to make sure that all the outlets and support systems for finding help are accessible to all.

You are loved.

Navigating the World of Therapy

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