The first lockdown was one of the most difficult times of my life. I felt guilty for feeling bad, because I was healthy, and so many people were struggling with loss and sickness from the pandemic. I chose to bottle up my emotions and distanced myself from my friends and family. During quarantine, this was easier than ever. I never felt more alone. And I know of so many others who were going through the same thing. Through social isolation, so many of us took the easy route and closed ourselves off.

Something I learned through this time, is that it is okay to not feel okay, even if there is no reason to. There is no reason to compare your struggles or feel guilty for struggling. Everyone has problems with their mental health, and even when everything seems to be alright, you may still feel bad or unworthy.

However, nothing bad will come from seeking help and understanding.

The best thing you can do for yourself is recognize that you are not alone, and there are so many resources for you to find help from. Because of this, I began to fall behind in some of my classes and was not performing academically the way I intended or wanted to. After using too many excuses as to why my work was not done in time, I finally decided to be honest. I built up the courage to tell a few of my teachers, and they were nothing but understanding, making my struggles just a bit easier already. And of course, on the other side of this, try to reach out to your friends. You may never know what someone is struggling with on the inside.

Reaching out is the first step towards getting better, and after that, you no longer have to carry the weight of being alone.

Resources

• National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 800-273-8255
• Seattle Prep Counselors
• Teen Link: 206-461-4922
• National Suicide Hotline: 1-800-784-2433