Depression. Anxiety. Self-harm. Not knowing if you want to live or die. Afraid to speak up because people don’t understand.

This invisible illness is very real indeed. It may be invisible to the blind eye but to those who suffer with it or have family or friends that deal with it, it is a very visable and painful illness.

It’s hard for people who don’t suffer with it to understand why one doesn’t want to go out, why staying in bed all day is the most they can accomplish that day. Or for those who are able to get out and work, volunteer or leave the house for a period of time, that that can take everything out of you and you just want to stay home and rest and not socialize.

I’ve struggled with mental health issues since I was 14. I just turned 28. I have come so far and I am able to work part time again. But, what a lot of people don’t realize is that most of the time, the little bit I’m out living a “normal” life, it can take all the strength I can muster and when I go home, all I want to do is be at home away from the world and work on my self care so I can go out and do it again.

Here I am out and about doing things I love. My job and my volunteer work. Underneath that bright smile and social butterfly attitude lives a young lady who sometimes cannot get out of bed, is depressed, anxious, and feels very alone.

The good news is it’s not a life sentence. I used to think so, but I know that it has helped me become the lady I’m supposed to be. Yes, I’ll be on medication for the rest of my life and may never be able to work full time, but if I keep working on being the best Katie I can be, I’ll keep doing amazing things and hopefully inspire others a long the way.

This month, as time allows, I want to talk more about mental health issues. They don’t just affect me. More than likely they affect someone you know.