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¿Estás en una crisis? Llama o envía un mensaje de texto al 988 o envía un mensaje de texto con AYUDA al 741741

Stories about Real Stories

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ENCOURAGING HELP-SEEKING WITH ANONYMOUS MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT

Physicians and residents use ISP’s online self-assessment tool to screen for stress, depression and other mental health concerns, and counselors personally respond to address their specific concerns, provide counseling and share mental health resources.

Erica McBeth's Headshot

Fighting Loneliness Through Connection

2017 was a tough year for me. My heart had been broken. I was plagued by a medical issue throughout a good portion of the year. The new job I thought was going to be lucrative wasn’t.

Headshot of Sarah Miller wearing glasses and smiling at the camera

Reclaiming Laughter After Suicide Loss

After my husband Victor died by suicide, I thought I would never laugh again. I mean, why would I? Death is devastating. My partner for 30 years was gone. That’s bad enough but the type of loss – suicide – felt like it had doubled that devastation.

Sign that says hope

I Walk Because My Life is Worth Living

I walk because suicide prevention matters to me and isn’t spoken about enough. No one should suffer alone or in silence. I walk because my passion in life is to share my experiences in hopes that they can help someone else.

Michael and his father standing in front of a bridge at sunset

Sharing My Story – and My Father’s – at The Overnight

So often, mental health conditions can be muted by stigma, shame and misinformation. I participate in the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Overnight Walk to challenge this silence.

Photo of the white house at dusk

Turning Listening into Legislation: Advocating for More Accessible and Affordable Mental Health Care

Your story is the opening to an ongoing conversation with your representatives. Our job as advocates is to make sure that listening becomes legislation.

Headshot of Josephine Jessie

Respect and Love Are Lifesaving

When we extend respect to people and love them, it truly is lifesaving. I know this because it has been people’s respect and love that has saved my life more times than I can count. Most of the people who had a positive impact on my life didn’t know the impact they had on me in those moments.

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From Thanksgiving to New Year’s: Protecting Your Mental Health During the Holidays

Concerned about the impact of the holiday season on your mental health? You are not alone.

Samantha “Sam” Ritts

The Other Side of Hospitalization

When I was 17-years-old, I was diagnosed with Bipolar I Disorder. I’d been battling with depression since early middle school, but had tell-tale signs of hypomania by my junior year of high school. My depression getting worse was what ultimately led me to seek out a psychiatrist, and learning of my new diagnosis.

Mitchel Leet (he/him/his)

Being Who I Needed When I Was Younger

There is no community or school district that doesn’t have people needing to hear the specific message that it is okay to be who they are, and have that be backed up by a willingness to connect them to truly affirming services that meet their needs for mental health care, medical care, housing, advocacy, and more.

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The Evolution of College Mental Health

The transition to college led me to seek help. It had recently become clear to me that I had anxiety, and this was only emphasized by my moving away from home, friends, and familiarity. I recognized that mental health is a constant in everyone’s life: something I must take the time to acknowledge and attend to.

Molly Tams

I Want to Grow Up: Seeing a Future After Attempting Suicide in Grade-School

For as long as I can remember, I’ve struggled with anxiety. My earliest memory of it was in the first grade. I talked in class, trying to make a friend – unfortunately, I did it while the teacher was speaking. She got angry, and made me walk to the front of the class. I felt like I couldn’t breathe.