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My Mental Health: A Follow-Up

I can’t begin to express how grateful I am.

I can’t begin to express how grateful I am to be a part of this community with you.

I’m a private and guarded person. Writing this personal essay and putting it out in the world was one of the most terrifying things I’ve done. I wasn’t sure how I’d feel after having my family, my friends, my colleagues, and all of you reading about the demons in my head. One of the only things that’s made the unease subside is the heartwarming response from all of you. Your messages have moved me more than you can know -- for me to understand how you connected with my story and the fact that sharing this allowed some of you to feel less alone in the world makes me feel like my vulnerability was worth it.

I’m sharing some of the responses to the essay below in the same pursuit of what I hoped sharing the essay would accomplish: to show everyone that we’re not alone and that we’re all just trying to get through life together.

"As someone who has just weeks ago made the decision to give mental health counseling a try, reading this article has really given me strength, and I wanted to say thank you."
"Tej, this was an extremely meaningful read, on a deep level. Thank you for being vulnerable, it's sure to help a lot of us. Much success on the rest of your mental health journey, and thanks for inspiring us to encourage each other, and more importantly sometimes -- ourselves."
"You're doing amazing Tej. Seriously, I applaud you for taking care of yourself because that's the most important thing you can ever do in life. I'm 18 years old but wow how much life can just hit you with a bus and leave you there on your own (or at least we feel that way). Just like you, I deal with depression and anxiety everyday, and as you said, it feels like just when you are about to get at the end of the climb you stumble back down all the way at the end. And honestly, that's exactly how I would describe how I feel, but I couldn't find the right words until I read that part of your story. Thank you, seriously thank you for showing awareness and telling your story because it makes us feel like we're not alone in this. Thank you again and I wish you the very best."
Mental Note: Take Time for Yourself

Give a guy in your life one of our mental (health) notes as a reminder to check-in with his mental health.

"Well, damn, Tej. I don't know you, but we have ALL been THERE. I'm sorry for your struggles and absolutely support your strength and all the work it takes to get through depression. Take care. I'll think about the note and find someone who might need it."
"Thank you so much for sharing your story. In many ways I feel like I can relate to you. I have felt like I am alone in my struggles, and my mental health story feels so different than other people's. But I am so happy to hear your story and know that there is someone else going through something so similar."
"Thank you so much for sharing this! You are loved. You are incredible. You are strong. I hope my boys grow up to be as courageous and open as you are. We'll be having a conversation about mental health tonight at bedtime. Love and hugs to you, Tej."
"I assume this is just a bot sending this and no one is going to read this, but I just have to say: thank you for sharing this. That takes an absolutely tremendous amount of courage. I've been struggling with a lot of mental health issues and it makes me scared I'm never going to be able to get through it or achieve any of my goals. This makes me extra appreciative of getting to see the reality of someone else who is working through these issues and is still leading a good life with a good future, no matter the path."
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