Views on identity vary greatly with varying degrees of conviction/flexibility. Being vulnerable when respect is present can help push this important conversation forward.

“My Dr. once told me, “John, you can’t think your way out of depression.” Those words have really stuck with me because, for me, they touch on what I find to be a fascinating part of how we talk about mental health.”

“When I’m depressed, the resource I lack is caring, caring about my future, and caring about myself. I struggle to be engaged, to be invested in life. I feel feelings of worthlessness, of being unworthy or a burden to others. I have trouble embracing any sort of purpose, in being motivated by something larger than myself. I’m undedicated. I’m clinging to an unrealistic or skewed lens in which I see the world as being more negative than it is. I’m embodying a narrative or role that is unrealistic. I’m assessing situations, making toxic value judgments, and often treating myself in a way that runs contrary to the compassion I’m willing to give others.”

“It’s only a matter of time. They despise me. I’ve made the wrong move and now there’s no getting away from it, away from this mess I made. I can see it in the subtle movements of their faces that they are offended by my existence.”

“How we write about suicide matters, although it’s important we feel comfortable talking and expressing where we’re at with it so that we feel less alone. The main issue, I think, with how we communicate about suicide is that we don’t want to condone the act, but we don’t want to blame a person for doing it either.”

“As far as I can tell, I was 12 years old when I had my first delusion. At the time I was sure that I had the right explanation for a horrible and persistent pain in my stomach.”