I began experiencing symptoms that I knew on some level were depression and mania but fought to hide them.

Cribbage became a go-to distraction from the monotony of the hospital.

Helping others also helped me get through my own self-healing journey.

Sharing my story has given me a purpose in this world.

Here’s why I say anything is possible; I finally decided to ask for help.

I’m much stronger than my mind tries to trick me into believing.

I learned to name my boundaries and keep them.

I’ve lost everything and everyone over and over.

Everything in my psyche and soul said, “ENOUGH.”

The hospital was real life in the midst of our distorted reality.

All of us have had struggles so we can all feel safe sharing without judgment.

But if my experiences have taught me anything, it's that we're all in a constant state of recovery.

I can’t be depressed while I help someone else.

Little did I know that this was the painful beginning of becoming a new person.

I’m grateful to finally be calm and grounded in my body and in my mind.

Everybody saw what was happening, yet nobody said anything.

I knew something was wrong when I started waking up before 6 am full of energy.