Learning to Manage Disappointment

Think back to your first disappointment. I was disappointed by friends when they didn’t invite me to their house. I was disappointed in myself when teachers would deduct a point from me for catching me talking during quiet time. At an elementary school age, every child experiences what it feels like to be let down […]

The Wall….. Leaving Far Behind

Denise Ann | Blogger & Advocate, Where I Stand Someone walks by and can’t help but notice what is in front of him. He examines it closely and can see that it was not built in a day, a week, a month or even a year. He probes aloud, “Why is this here?” I sit […]

I’m Okay Alone

I like routine and plans. I live by my calendar. I love knowing that I have plans for the day or night with friends. Even tentative plans in my mind become solid ones. Someone may say that they might be able to hang out on a Monday night, and somehow my mind twists that vague […]

When Father’s Day Stings.

By: the girl who can’t forget but chooses to heal | Guest Submission, Where I Stand Father’s day: It is the reminder of a father-daughter dance at my wedding reception I don’t want to have, the sharp pain in the pit of my stomach knowing girls who have fond memories of a playful, exuberant, protective, validating fathers, while […]

The Day I Decided to Live

Written by Megan Saunders, Blogger & Advocate On the day before I decided to take my life, you may have been the person sitting next to me in my favorite coffee shop, or the person smiling at me as I passed you on the sidewalk with my spirited terrier. You may have seen the backpack […]

Without You

Written by Charlotte Sandy, Blogger & Advocate This month, it will be five years without you. Five years of moving through the waves of grieving a person society tells me I shouldn’t grieve. Who grieves the loss of a therapist, anyway? Mental health organizations and professionals always voice a message of hope: “Therapy can provide […]

The Life I Imagined

Written by Brittany Foster, Blogger & Advocate Prom, weddings, finishing finals, college celebrations, graduations…It feels as if my newsfeed lately has been filled with such joyous times. Everywhere I look, my friends are engaged, getting married, having children, getting acceptance letters into their masters or PA school programs, becoming doctors, and “living the dream.” I […]

Try, Try Again

Written by Hannah Hensel, Blogger & Advocate “Just…write something. Just do it, come on,” I say out loud to myself. I’m staring at a blank page, knowing that I haven’t written a single piece in months and months and months. I’ve thought about it every single day, yet I find myself unable to get my […]

Making Peace With My Scars

Written by Megan Saunders, Blogger & Advocate For Valentine’s Day this year, a dear friend of mine made paper with wildflower seeds in it, then cut it into hearts. This friend encouraged the recipients of these paper hearts to plant them. Waiting for the weather to warm, I planted my heart a week ago. Today, […]

13 Reasons Why I Won’t

Written by Jessica Ross, Blogger & Advocate, Communications Coordinator I have to admit that I haven’t jumped on the band wagon and watched “13 Reasons Why” on Netflix yet. To be honest, I’m a little afraid. In high school it was one of my favorite books, but that was before. Before I knew that everything I […]