Hope is out there.

For at least half my life, I've struggled with depression. While it wasn't until the last year that I've realized what it was, but looking back, it's fairly apparent. It's a hard thing to live with, and it can be difficult to open up about. I've been fortunate recently to have friends willing to bear with me through this.

Another struggle that I've observed first hand is that of self-harm. It's not something I've had to struggle with myself, thankfully, but I've had close friends that have. It's hard to watch, but I've noticed that it can be much worse if they have no one to go to. Unfortunately, it's often difficult for them to find someone to talk to. I've seen relationships damaged because the wrong person was told. My university in particular has been known to be harsh on those who are "found out." Suspension was threatened if it didn't stop in one case, and the counselors on staff are better suited for grief and family counseling than self-harm, and they're understaffed for a campus of this size.

At this point, I'm going to do a bit of name-dropping; you've probably heard of To Write Love On Her Arms. They're an organization dedicated to raising awareness for depression, anxiety, and addiction, and making sure that people have access to the help that they need. They also focus on changing the stigma that tends to surround these issues. These stigmas can make finding help difficult.

This is what TWLOHA means to me. It's a movement to change unhealthy environments, and helping people who are hurting. Cliche as it sounds, they're a beacon of hope. They're a group of people who genuinely care about people that are hurting, and that is a rare and valuable thing in today's world. I, for one, wholeheartedly support this organization and their mission. Their efforts mean a lot to me, personally, and I hope that you would take some time to find out more about what they do, and what they stand for.