Out of Stigma’s Shadow Jewish Community Services, Catholic Charities, Medstar Health, NAMI Metropolitan Baltimore, and Behavioral Health System Baltimore

“I didn’t know what I was feeling.”
“I wish the urges would go away.”
“It was easy to hide.”
“Broken people can’t fix broken people, but I can’t help but try.”
In high school, an abstract sadness descended on Jada. She didn’t understand it, but it made her think about ending her life. For better or worse, she found a community of people online who were also struggling. They introduced Jada to the practice of self-harm, to her detriment. Today, Jada is a mental health advocate who performs her poetry at conferences and workshops. She shares a poem that may or may not be her suicide note. 

“I honestly felt like I was invincible.”
 “It’s OK not to be OK.”
When Peter was in middle school, he struggled with dyslexia, dyscalculia, and ADHD. He became a target for bullies and spent a lot of time in the principal’s office. In high school, he embraced alcohol and drugs to ease his social anxiety. By the time he was in college, his substance use had gotten the best of him. He failed his classes and ended up in treatment program where he learned some surprising and important things about himself. 

"We move like a river. And we have rocks in our path. What does water do? It moves, it flows through.”
“I love who I’m becoming.”
The end of a long relationship left Damon feeling lost and suicidal, but a call from a friend came at just the right moment. Since then, Damon has been on a journey of personal growth and self-acceptance, spending time in nature, starting a fashion company, and working with autistic kids. 

“I can only describe it as like a weird sense of dread.” 
“It’s just really important for people to know they are not alone.” 
When Emily was in high school, she found herself as the de facto caretaker for her mom, who was mentally and physically ill. Emily struggled with severe anxiety, made even more difficult because of stigma surrounding mental health issues and challenges accessing therapy services.  Emily is now pursuing a degree in family and human services and notes that, while she is doing better managing her anxiety, it can still be challenging at times.  

“It’s okay to cry. Crying is an emotional breakthrough.” 
“I wake up every morning, and I am beautiful.” 
After an unresolved childhood trauma, Whitney suffered from acute anxiety attacks and nightmares. With the help of a therapist and a regular practice of journaling, she’s learned to cope with her past and deal with its emotional repercussions.

“I’ve gotten better at asking for help.” 
“You aren’t a burden for existing.” 
Some people don’t like labels, but August finds them comforting and affirming. Queer. Nonbinary. Autistic. August embraces these labels as they navigate through a daily experience of feeling different and not fitting in.