If you get a chance, check out STAR TOUCHED. Tatiana has to deal will a different kind of hate and bigotry.
I had intended to post a little something about mental health each day in September, but time slipped away. Excuses are easy to find, but in all likely hood, it was the gray shroud that tried to smother me again. I’ve battled depression since childhood, although I wasn’t diagnosed until my late twenty’s.
I’ve always been good at hiding my gray, showing the world my glass-half-full side. Perhaps that’s why I like the song “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile,” from Annie. That and “Tomorrow” were my go-to songs growing up. If only I’d felt that way inside as well. But I didn’t. I was more than a little sad. There were times when I’d cry uncontrollably for no reason, but I couldn’t stop.
So why didn’t I get help then? Why didn’t I talk to someone?
I had no idea who to talk to, and I was afraid of what people would say or think. A middle school run in with bullies left me hyper conscious of reactions. Besides, people didn’t talk about depression back then. They didn’t even talk about bullies. There was no internet to get information on depression or resources for help. There were no depression or suicide hotlines at school, or anywhere else that I know of.
Besides, I wasn’t that far into the darkness to consider ending my life. That meant that I didn’t need help, right?
Wrong.
No one should have to walk through life half in darkness. It took me years to figure that out and get help.
Next time you see someone without a smile, say good morning/good evening as you walk by. It may not seem like much, but sometimes that little greeting can mean the difference between gray and darkness, a small touch to let them know someone cares.
Everyone needs help at times
Don’t be afraid to ask
For a rope of light
To pull you from the darkness
Climb out of the gray
Hold onto yourself
Your life
Your heart
This world
Hold onto the light
About the campaign:
#HoldOnToTheLight is a blog campaign encompassing blog posts by fantasy and science fiction authors around the world in an effort to raise awareness around treatment for depression, suicide prevention, domestic violence intervention, PTSD initiatives, bullying prevention and other mental health-related issues. We believe fandom should be supportive, welcoming and inclusive, in the long tradition of fandom taking care of its own. We encourage readers and fans to seek the help they or their loved ones need without shame or embarrassment.
Please consider donating to or volunteering for organizations dedicated to treatment and prevention such as: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Hope for the Warriors (PTSD), National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Canadian Mental Health Association, MIND (UK), SANE (UK), BeyondBlue (Australia), To Write Love On Her Arms (TWLOHA) and the National Suicide Prevention Hotline.
To find out more about #HoldOnToTheLight, find a list of participating authors and blog posts, or reach a media contact, go to http://www.HoldOnToTheLight.com and join us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/WeHoldOnToTheLight
WHEN GRAY SURROUNDS A WEARY HEART
Tired despite hours of sleep, my head sinks into the pillow
Morning’s light gives no warmth or peace with its rays
Only clouds of pointless dust in an indifferent world
Rising is pointless when you’re numb to everything
Except the smothering weight that presses down
To choke what little light remains
Nothing can pierce the shroud
No reason to continue
To struggle forward
To breathe
Live
A touch
Warm and furry
persistent in its desire
Wakes me from the dark
Pulls me back into the light
To struggle onward out of the gray
Depression; unhappiness; despair; sadness; downheartedness; misery; hopelessness; melancholy; dejection; gloominess; despondency; gloom; cheerlessness; joylessness; glumness; – They all mean the same thing.
More than 15 million people in the United States have been diagnosed with depression. Because of social stigma, many do not seek treatment or won’t admit they have a problem. Depression is more than feeling a little sad. It’s an all over gray feeling that won’t go away. Have you ever started crying for no apparent reason and couldn’t stop? Depression sucks the joy out of everything, but it doesn’t need to. The hardest thing is admitting to yourself that you are depressed. Talk to someone, I did and it made a world of difference. I resisted for a long time. I wish I hadn’t. If one form of treatment doesn’t help, try another. Remember, you are not alone. Keep holding onto the light.
About the campaign:
#HoldOnToTheLight is a blog campaign encompassing blog posts by fantasy and science fiction authors around the world in an effort to raise awareness around treatment for depression, suicide prevention, domestic violence intervention, PTSD initiatives, bullying prevention and other mental health-related issues. We believe fandom should be supportive, welcoming and inclusive, in the long tradition of fandom taking care of its own. We encourage readers and fans to seek the help they or their loved ones need without shame or embarrassment.
Please consider donating to or volunteering for organizations dedicated to treatment and prevention such as: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Hope for the Warriors (PTSD), National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Canadian Mental Health Association, MIND (UK), SANE (UK), BeyondBlue (Australia), To Write Love On Her Arms (TWLOHA) and the National Suicide Prevention Hotline.
To find out more about #HoldOnToTheLight, find a list of participating authors and blog posts, or reach a media contact, go to http://www.HoldOnToTheLight.com and join us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/WeHoldOnToTheLight
Even the darkest night
Is only a few steps away
From dawn’s light
And the warmth of the sun
Voices jabber around me like crows, spitting harsh, cold words. They battle over differences, snubbing those who are not the same.
Invisible, I walk among them, whispering brotherhood. Lift one up, steady another. Silent, unseen, I plant compassion
A spark of truth births understanding. Only to be beaten down by those who refuse to accept. Even the flame of truth can’t survive a tsunami of ignorance and hate.
I take a deep breath, then move through them again. I cannot cease. I will not, until the squalls and misunderstandings are resolved. Until all the world sings together.
Our world is like a glass swan
Weroo, weroo, weroo
Incessant sounds fill the air
Weroo, weroo, weroo
Bulging throats beckon
Weroo, weroo, weroo
Find me and I’m yours
Weroo, weroo, weroo
Your heart’s fulfillment lies with me
Weroo, weroo, weroo
Spring is here, spring is here
Dragonfly Arts Magazine: Reflections on Life, Love, Trauma and Hope was recently published by Hope Works. Hope Works is dedicated to eliminating sexual and domestic violence in Howard County, Maryland. This insightful collection of poetry and art touches not only on the many aspects of abuse, but on renewal and healing as well. Dragonfly Arts Magazine was made possible by the Howard County Arts Council through a grant from Howard County Government.
