Other's Stories

I grew up in two loving households (my parents divorced at an early age). Until 7th grade, I had an unproblematic childhood, did well in school, and had friends. Most people know that middle school years can be rough. It’s a time of big change in the body, the mind, and the environment. I wasn’t an exception to this, and it hit both myself and my family all at once.

My 7th grade year also happened as social media, and the internet, was on the rise. We were always on Facebook and Twitter, and using Omegle (an online chat with strangers). I happened to get emotionally involved with a stranger I met on the internet, who I never knew the true identity of. This stranger put me through a rollercoaster of emotion and mental toil, often making me question myself and fear for their safety. It only took a few months of messaging to see that I had spiraled into depression. I was often angry at my parents for no reason, inflicting self harm, doing poorly in school, and always looking at my phone for the next message. I didn’t want to talk to my family about it—it felt embarrassing, and I didn’t want to admit what was going on.

Of course, my parents knew something was wrong. They tried sending me to therapy, but I refused to cooperate. They didn’t know what to do, and we didn’t have the resources and tools that are available to us now. What did have an impact on me at the time was a letter my dad wrote to me. In it, he told me how much he loved me. He explained that he dealt with depression before, and that it would get better. That was when I realized not only how much I meant to others, but also that I wasn’t alone and that it would get better. It wasn’t long after the letter that I stopped talking to the mystery stranger and was able to get better. In the years since, I’ve had some depressive episodes. But I have learned not only how to catch it early, but what practices and habits can help me get through it.

During my depression, I often wrote poetry and read. The first allowed me an emotional outlet, and the second provided a safe escape. I encourage anyone struggling to find an outlet that works for them. Even if your brain is convinced you don’t have anything to live for, give it another day. Try to do one thing that you know you like. And then tomorrow, if it tells you again—give it one more day. Keep doing that, and I promise you’ll find what works for you and get to the other side.