World Mental Health Day: Learning That It’s Okay to Not Be Okay

Writer’s Note: When I planned out this story, I meant for it to be a happy one. Today is Mental Health Awareness Day and I wanted to show the ways that people suffering from mental health issues could get help. Instead, this piece turned into a cathartic outlet for all the anxiety, stress and health issues I’ve experienced over the last few months.

It’s been more than six months since the coronavirus pandemic turned the world upside down. Over the course of the year, some of my beliefs surrounding mental health have been challenged, while others have been firmly cemented in my being. I’ve learned to listen to my body and to better advocate for myself and my mental health.

I’ve also learned an extremely important lesson. It’s okay to not be okay.

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Photo by Hedgehog Digital on Unsplash