Kalli H., Kettering Fairmont Middle School
Live For You
There are times in everyone’s lives where they have to choose between asking for help, or dealing with it on their own. For a long time, I chose the latter. I thought I could deal with things on my own and be fine, but I was wrong. Over the years, I have figured out a plan to become a more confident and happy version of myself, and how to ask for help when I need it.
As far back as I can remember, I have struggled with anxiety and depression. I think it’s always been there, but it got much worse about 4 years ago, when I lost someone very dear to me. I struggled with how to cope with my mental health, but I wanted to do it alone.
It was scary to ask for help. I’ll admit that, but I am so happy I did, because I don’t know if I''d be here today If I didn’t. When I told my parents I needed help, we went to the Dayton Children''s Crisis Center, and after that, got put in touch with a therapist.
Talking to a psychiatrist was intimidating at first, but once I opened up, It helped exponentially. I learned how to help my confidence. My therapist, Brenda, gave me a piece of advice that changed how I looked at confidence. She told me, “You need to stop being who people want you to be and start figuring out who you truly are.” That has stayed with me to this day.
I learned that happiness is contagious! I was always a pretty reserved person, but once I came out of my shell and started talking to people and being kind, their happiness from my actions radiated off of them, and went straight to me! It could be something as simple as complimenting someone’s outfit. The smile on someone’s face is truly catching.
Over the years, I’ve also learned how to tune out negative influences, both internal and external. Poor self esteem is a problem faced by many teens, and most don’t know how to deal with it. I’ve learned that positive thinking can help block out the negative. As a teenager who has been on social media, I can safely say that it has had a negative impact on me. I now don’t use it, and I think it has helped my self-esteem to take a step back from those platforms. When you spend less time focusing on the negative thoughts, it’s easier to bring the positive ones to the forefront of your mind.
My struggles with mental health have taught me a lot about how to carry myself through life and possibly help others around me, especially teens. Asking for help when I need it has changed my life forever, and I now have plans for when I struggle with confidence or self esteem, because those things don’t necessarily go away, we just have to learn to deal with them.
