It was the summer of 2021. I had just graduated from high school with a 4.2 GPA. I was excited and ready to begin college and the rest of my life. However, as summer approached, my life began to go in a different direction. I have always struggled with my emotions and impulses, but suddenly those impulses began to take control of my life. Suddenly, I found myself struggling with relationships and instability all the time. I was unable to focus and I fought depression frequently. In the fall, I began college. I struggled the entire semester. I was unable to concentrate on my work. I felt overwhelmed all the time. My relationships with my friends and family began to suffer and I began to make risky decisions. I finished the semester, however my GPA and my relationships took a hit. Luckily, I have a supportive family and they began searching everywhere to find a solution to my problem. We tried therapist after therapist in an effort to get some help. None of them really seem to understand my issues. Eventually, we found someone that was familiar with what I was going through. After many evaluations and assessments, I was diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder. Having a name for what I was dealing with scared me, but also relieved me. Understanding my problem meant we could now work towards a solution. I began intensive weekly therapy. Thankfully, with the help of an awesome therapist that is skilled in the art of DBT Therapy, I am managing my BPD much better. I will never be free of it, but I now have coping skills that allow me to function successfully in my daily life. I have transferred to a college that works well for me and my learning style and I plan on becoming a therapist specializing in DBT Therapy. I live in Eastern Kentucky, and in this area, very few therapists specialize in this type of therapy. I want to stay in this area and provide needed services to people like me. Therapy helped me learn how to manage my BPD. I want to teach others how to do the same. My practical solution for helping people with mental illness is to give back. I have learned how to cope, and now I want to use my education to spread awareness and help others dealing with mental health issues. My experience with mental health has definitely shaped my understanding of the world. I have come to realize that most people deal with some sort of mental health issue. Behaviors that we feel are strange or irritating are often driven by mental illness. People feel like those behaviors are easily controlled or willful. However, they are not. They are often uncontrollable and unexplainable even to the people exhibiting them. I have learned to have patience with people. So many times, even in the very moment I am experiencing them, my BPD behaviors are irrational to me. I can't understand them, so how can others? I have gained an empathy I never had before. Irrational behaviors are almost always driven by a mental health issue. I now look at these individuals with care and understanding. The world is full of people dealing with issues just like me. These days, I view the world with a fresh sense of compassion like never before. Learning to understand myself is helping me to understand the world around me. I understand now that the world needs people to help those struggling with mental health, especially in Eastern Kentucky. I want to use my education to help those struggling with mental health here in my part of the world.

It can be difficult to maintain good mental, physical, and nutritional health while in school. Between classes, studying, and social activities, there never seems to be enough time for anything else. In addition, many students feel pressure to succeed and may have a perfectionist personality. This can lead to added stress and anxiety. When I was younger, my parents always instilled in me the importance of a healthy mind and body. They would take me to the park to play sports or go on hikes, and they would always make sure that I had a balanced diet. As a result, I grew up with a love for being active and eating healthy foods. Maintaining my mental, physical, and nutritional health while being in school is important to me because I want to be able to perform at my best academically, athletically, and mentally. To achieve this, I have developed a few habits that help me stay healthy. Firstly, I try to get plenty of exercise. Yoga is one of my favorite ways to exercise. Not only is it good for me physically, but it is good for my mental health as well. I also like to go for runs or walk my dog in my free time. Exercise helps me release stress and stay alert. Secondly, I eat a healthy diet. This means that I avoid processed foods and instead eat lots of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Eating healthy foods allows me to have more energy and think more clearly. Staying hydrated is important to me, as well. It is essential for physical and mental health. Finally, I make sure to get enough sleep. Sleep is essential for restoring energy levels and repairing damage done during the day. By getting enough sleep, I am able to stay healthy both mentally and physically. These habits help me stay healthy while being in school, but they are not the only things that are important to me. My family and friends are also very important to me, and I make sure to spend time with them whenever possible. Spending time with loved ones allows me to relax and de-stress after a long day at school. Overall, staying healthy while being in school is important to me because I want to be able to perform at my best both academically and athletically. By following the tips above, I am able to do just that.

It can be difficult to maintain good mental, physical, and nutritional health while in school. Between classes, studying, and social activities, there never seems to be enough time for anything else. In addition, many students feel pressure to succeed and may have a perfectionist personality. This can lead to added stress and anxiety. When I was younger, my parents always instilled in me the importance of a healthy mind and body. They would take me to the park to play sports or go on hikes, and they would always make sure that I had a balanced diet. As a result, I grew up with a love for being active and eating healthy foods. Maintaining my mental, physical, and nutritional health while being in school is important to me because I want to be able to perform at my best academically, athletically, and mentally. To achieve this, I have developed a few habits that help me stay healthy. Firstly, I try to get plenty of exercise. Yoga is one of my favorite ways to exercise. Not only is it good for me physically, but it is good for my mental health as well. I also like to go for runs or walk my dog in my free time. Exercise helps me release stress and stay alert. Secondly, I eat a healthy diet. This means that I avoid processed foods and instead eat lots of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Eating healthy foods allows me to have more energy and think more clearly. Staying hydrated is important to me, as well. It is essential for physical and mental health. Finally, I make sure to get enough sleep. Sleep is essential for restoring energy levels and repairing damage done during the day. By getting enough sleep, I am able to stay healthy both mentally and physically. These habits help me stay healthy while being in school, but they are not the only things that are important to me. My family and friends are also very important to me, and I make sure to spend time with them whenever possible. Spending time with loved ones allows me to relax and de-stress after a long day at school. Overall, staying healthy while being in school is important to me because I want to be able to perform at my best both academically and athletically. By following the tips above, I am able to do just that.

It was the summer of 2021. I had just graduated from high school with a 4.2 GPA. I was excited and ready to begin college and the rest of my life. However, as summer approached, my life began to go in a different direction. I have always struggled with my emotions and impulses, but suddenly those impulses began to take control of my life. Suddenly, I found myself struggling with relationships and instability all the time. I was unable to focus and I fought depression frequently. In the fall, I began college. I struggled the entire semester. I was unable to concentrate on my work. I felt overwhelmed all the time. My relationships with my friends and family began to suffer and I began to make risky decisions. I finished the semester, however my GPA and my relationships took a hit. Luckily, I have a supportive family and they began searching everywhere to find a solution to my problem. We tried therapist after therapist in an effort to get some help. None of them really seem to understand my issues. Eventually, we found someone that was familiar with what I was going through. After many evaluations and assessments, I was diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder. Having a name for what I was dealing with scared me, but also relieved me. Understanding my problem meant we could now work towards a solution. I began intensive weekly therapy. Thankfully, with the help of an awesome therapist that is skilled in the art of DBT Therapy, I am managing my BPD much better. I will never be free of it, but I now have coping skills that allow me to function successfully in my daily life. I have transferred to a college that works well for me and my learning style and I plan on becoming a therapist specializing in DBT Therapy. I live in Eastern Kentucky, and in this area, very few therapists specialize in this type of therapy. I want to stay in this area and provide needed services to people like me. Therapy helped me learn how to manage my BPD. I want to teach others how to do the same. My practical solution for helping people with mental illness is to give back. I have learned how to cope, and now I want to use my education to spread awareness and help others dealing with mental health issues. My experience with mental health has definitely shaped my understanding of the world. I have come to realize that most people deal with some sort of mental health issue. Behaviors that we feel are strange or irritating are often driven by mental illness. People feel like those behaviors are easily controlled or willful. However, they are not. They are often uncontrollable and unexplainable even to the people exhibiting them. I have learned to have patience with people. So many times, even in the very moment I am experiencing them, my BPD behaviors are irrational to me. I can't understand them, so how can others? I now look at these individuals with care and understanding. The world is full of people dealing with issues just like me. These days, I view the world with a fresh sense of compassion like never before. Learning to understand myself is helping me to understand the world around me. I understand now that the world needs people to help those struggling with mental health, especially in Eastern Kentucky. I want to use my education to help those struggling with mental health here in my part of the world.

It was the summer of 2021. I had just graduated from high school with a 4.2 GPA. I was excited and ready to begin college and the rest of my life. However, as summer approached, my life began to go in a different direction. I have always struggled with my emotions and impulses, but suddenly those impulses began to take control of my life. Suddenly, I found myself struggling with relationships and instability all the time. I was unable to focus and I fought depression frequently. In the fall, I began college. I struggled the entire semester. I was unable to concentrate on my work. I felt overwhelmed all the time. My relationships with my friends and family began to suffer and I began to make risky decisions. I finished the semester, however my GPA and my relationships took a hit. Luckily, I have a supportive family and they began searching everywhere to find a solution to my problem. We tried therapist after therapist in an effort to get some help. None of them really seem to understand my issues. Eventually, we found someone that was familiar with what I was going through. After many evaluations and assessments, I was diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder. Having a name for what I was dealing with scared me, but also relieved me. Understanding my problem meant we could now work towards a solution. I began intensive weekly therapy. Thankfully, with the help of an awesome therapist that is skilled in the art of DBT Therapy, I am managing my BPD much better. I will never be free of it, but I now have coping skills that allow me to function successfully in my daily life. I have transferred to a college that works well for me and my learning style and I plan on becoming a therapist specializing in DBT Therapy. I live in Eastern Kentucky, and in this area, very few therapists specialize in this type of therapy. I want to stay in this area and provide needed services to people like me. Therapy helped me learn how to manage my BPD. I want to teach others how to do the same. My practical solution for helping people with mental illness is to give back. I have learned how to cope, and now I want to use my education to spread awareness and help others dealing with mental health issues. My experience with mental health has definitely shaped my understanding of the world. I have come to realize that most people deal with some sort of mental health issue. Behaviors that we feel are strange or irritating are often driven by mental illness. People feel like those behaviors are easily controlled or willful. However, they are not. They are often uncontrollable and unexplainable even to the people exhibiting them. I have learned to have patience with people. So many times, even in the very moment I am experiencing them, my BPD behaviors are irrational to me. I can't understand them, so how can others? I now look at these individuals with care and understanding. The world is full of people dealing with issues just like me. These days, I view the world with a fresh sense of compassion like never before. Learning to understand myself is helping me to understand the world around me. I understand now that the world needs people to help those struggling with mental health, especially in Eastern Kentucky. I want to use my education to help those struggling with mental health here in my part of the world.

It was the summer of 2021. I had just graduated from high school with a 4.2 GPA. I was excited and ready to begin college and the rest of my life. However, as summer approached, my life began to go in a different direction. I have always struggled with my emotions and impulses, but suddenly those impulses began to take control of my life. Suddenly, I found myself struggling with relationships and instability all the time. I was unable to focus and I fought depression frequently. In the fall, I began college. I struggled the entire semester. I was unable to concentrate on my work. I felt overwhelmed all the time. My relationships with my friends and family began to suffer and I began to make risky decisions. I finished the semester, however my GPA and my relationships took a hit. Luckily, I have a supportive family and they began searching everywhere to find a solution to my problem. We tried therapist after therapist in an effort to get some help. None of them really seem to understand my issues. Eventually, we found someone that was familiar with what I was going through. After many evaluations and assessments, I was diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder. Having a name for what I was dealing with scared me, but also relieved me. Understanding my problem meant we could now work towards a solution. I began intensive weekly therapy. Thankfully, with the help of an awesome therapist that is skilled in the art of DBT Therapy, I am managing my BPD much better. I will never be free of it, but I now have coping skills that allow me to function successfully in my daily life. I have transferred to a college that works well for me and my learning style and I plan on becoming a therapist specializing in DBT Therapy. I live in Eastern Kentucky, and in this area, very few therapists specialize in this type of therapy. I want to stay in this area and provide needed services to people like me. Therapy helped me learn how to manage my BPD. I want to teach others how to do the same. My practical solution for helping people with mental illness is to give back. I have learned how to cope, and now I want to use my education to spread awareness and help others dealing with mental health issues. Currently, I am studying Psychology in college. I plan to become a therapist specializing in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. My obstacles and hardships in life have definitely had an impact on my relationships. At first, my struggle with mental health affected my relationships with friends and family very negatively. I pushed them away and refused their help. Eventually, I realized I needed these important people more than ever. I began allowing them to help me. Family helped me to find the therapy I needed. My friends patiently stood by my side while I worked on my issues. I discovered that these relationships were important in my life. I began to value them and to embrace them. Relationships that were once strained improved and became a cherished asset in my life. It took hardship in my life for me to realize the importance of positive and loving relationships. It was such a hard lesson to learn, but I will never forget it.

It was the summer of 2021. I had just graduated from high school with a 4.2 GPA. I was excited and ready to begin college and the rest of my life. However, as summer approached, my life began to go in a different direction. I have always struggled with my emotions and impulses, but suddenly those impulses began to take control of my life. Suddenly, I found myself struggling with relationships and instability all the time. I was unable to focus and I fought depression frequently. In the fall, I began college. I struggled the entire semester. I was unable to concentrate on my work. I felt overwhelmed all the time. My relationships with my friends and family began to suffer and I began to make risky decisions. I finished the semester, however my GPA and my relationships took a hit. Luckily, I have a supportive family and they began searching everywhere to find a solution to my problem. We tried therapist after therapist in an effort to get some help. None of them really seem to understand my issues. Eventually, we found someone that was familiar with what I was going through. After many evaluations and assessments, I was diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder. Having a name for what I was dealing with scared me, but also relieved me. Understanding my problem meant we could now work towards a solution. I began intensive weekly therapy. Thankfully, with the help of an awesome therapist that is skilled in the art of DBT Therapy, I am managing my BPD much better. I will never be free of it, but I now have coping skills that allow me to function successfully in my daily life. I have transferred to a college that works well for me and my learning style and I plan on becoming a therapist specializing in DBT Therapy. I live in Eastern Kentucky, and in this area, very few therapists specialize in this type of therapy. I want to stay in this area and provide needed services to people like me. Therapy helped me learn how to manage my BPD. I want to teach others how to do the same. My practical solution for helping people with mental illness is to give back. I have learned how to cope, and now I want to use my education to spread awareness and help others dealing with mental health issues. My experience with mental health has definitely shaped my understanding of the world. I have come to realize that most people deal with some sort of mental health issue. Behaviors that we feel are strange or irritating are often driven by mental illness. People feel like those behaviors are easily controlled or willful. However, they are not. They are often uncontrollable and unexplainable even to the people exhibiting them. I have learned to have patience with people. So many times, even in the very moment I am experiencing them, my BPD behaviors are irrational to me. I can't understand them, so how can others? I have gained an empathy I never had before. Irrational behaviors are almost always driven by a mental health issue. I now look at these individuals with care and understanding. The world is full of people dealing with issues just like me. These days, I view the world with a fresh sense of compassion like never before. Learning to understand myself is helping me to understand the world around me. I understand now that the world needs people to help those struggling with mental health, especially in Eastern Kentucky. I want to use my education to help those struggling with mental health here in my part of the world.

It was the summer of 2021. I had just graduated from high school with a 4.2 GPA. I was excited and ready to begin college and the rest of my life. However, as summer approached, my life began to go in a different direction. I have always struggled with my emotions and impulses, but suddenly those impulses began to take control of my life. Suddenly, I found myself struggling with relationships and instability all the time. I was unable to focus and I fought depression frequently. In the fall, I began college. I struggled the entire semester. I was unable to concentrate on my work. I felt overwhelmed all the time. My relationships with my friends and family began to suffer and I began to make risky decisions. I finished the semester, however my GPA and my relationships took a hit. Luckily, I have a supportive family and they began searching everywhere to find a solution to my problem. We tried therapist after therapist in an effort to get some help. None of them really seem to understand my issues. Eventually, we found someone that was familiar with what I was going through. After many evaluations and assessments, I was diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder. Having a name for what I was dealing with scared me, but also relieved me. Understanding my problem meant we could now work towards a solution. I began intensive weekly therapy. Thankfully, with the help of an awesome therapist that is skilled in the art of DBT Therapy, I am managing my BPD much better. I will never be free of it, but I now have coping skills that allow me to function successfully in my daily life. I have transferred to a college that works well for me and my learning style and I plan on becoming a therapist specializing in DBT Therapy. I live in Eastern Kentucky, and in this area, very few therapists specialize in this type of therapy. I want to stay in this area and provide needed services to people like me. Therapy helped me learn how to manage my BPD. I want to teach others how to do the same. My practical solution for helping people with mental illness is to give back. I have learned how to cope, and now I want to use my education to spread awareness and help others dealing with mental health issues. My experience with mental health has definitely shaped my understanding of the world. I have come to realize that most people deal with some sort of mental health issue. Behaviors that we feel are strange or irritating are often driven by mental illness. People feel like those behaviors are easily controlled or willful. However, they are not. They are often uncontrollable and unexplainable even to the people exhibiting them. I have learned to have patience with people. So many times, even in the very moment I am experiencing them, my BPD behaviors are irrational to me. I can't understand them, so how can others? I now look at these individuals with care and understanding. The world is full of people dealing with issues just like me. These days, I view the world with a fresh sense of compassion like never before. Learning to understand myself is helping me to understand the world around me. I understand now that the world needs people to help those struggling with mental health, especially in Eastern Kentucky. I want to use my education to help those struggling with mental health here in my part of the world.

It was the summer of 2021. I had just graduated from high school with a 4.2 GPA. I was excited and ready to begin college and the rest of my life. However, as summer approached, my life began to go in a different direction. I have always struggled with my emotions and impulses, but suddenly those impulses began to take control of my life. Suddenly, I found myself struggling with relationships and instability all the time. I was unable to focus and I fought depression frequently. In the fall, I began college. I struggled the entire semester. I was unable to concentrate on my work. I felt overwhelmed all the time. My relationships with my friends and family began to suffer and I began to make risky decisions. I finished the semester, however my GPA and my relationships took a hit. Luckily, I have a supportive family and they began searching everywhere to find a solution to my problem. We tried therapist after therapist in an effort to get some help. None of them really seem to understand my issues. Eventually, we found someone that was familiar with what I was going through. After many evaluations and assessments, I was diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder. Having a name for what I was dealing with scared me, but also relieved me. Understanding my problem meant we could now work towards a solution. I began intensive weekly therapy. Thankfully, with the help of an awesome therapist that is skilled in the art of DBT Therapy, I am managing my BPD much better. I will never be free of it, but I now have coping skills that allow me to function successfully in my daily life. I have transferred to a college that works well for me and my learning style and I plan on becoming a therapist specializing in DBT Therapy. I live in Eastern Kentucky, and in this area, very few therapists specialize in this type of therapy. I want to stay in this area and provide needed services to people like me. Therapy helped me learn how to manage my BPD. I want to teach others how to do the same. My practical solution for helping people with mental illness is to give back. I have learned how to cope, and now I want to use my education to spread awareness and help others dealing with mental health issues. My experience with mental health has definitely shaped my understanding of the world. I have come to realize that most people deal with some sort of mental health issue. Behaviors that we feel are strange or irritating are often driven by mental illness. People feel like those behaviors are easily controlled or willful. However, they are not. They are often uncontrollable and unexplainable even to the people exhibiting them. I have learned to have patience with people. So many times, even in the very moment I am experiencing them, my BPD behaviors are irrational to me. I can't understand them, so how can others? I have gained an empathy I never had before. Irrational behaviors are almost always driven by a mental health issue. I now look at these individuals with care and understanding. The world is full of people dealing with issues just like me. These days, I view the world with a fresh sense of compassion like never before. Learning to understand myself is helping me to understand the world around me. I understand now that the world needs people to help those struggling with mental health, especially in Eastern Kentucky. I want to use my education to help those struggling with mental health here in my part of the world.

It was the summer of 2021. I had just graduated from high school with a 4.2 GPA. I was excited and ready to begin college and the rest of my life. However, as summer approached, my life began to go in a different direction. I have always struggled with my emotions and impulses, but suddenly those impulses began to take control of my life. Suddenly, I found myself struggling with relationships and instability all the time. I was unable to focus and I fought depression frequently. In the fall, I began college. I struggled the entire semester. I was unable to concentrate on my work. I felt overwhelmed all the time. My relationships with my friends and family began to suffer and I began to make risky decisions. I finished the semester, however my GPA and my relationships took a hit. Luckily, I have a supportive family and they began searching everywhere to find a solution to my problem. We tried therapist after therapist in an effort to get some help. None of them really seem to understand my issues. Eventually, we found someone that was familiar with what I was going through. After many evaluations and assessments, I was diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder. Having a name for what I was dealing with scared me, but also relieved me. Understanding my problem meant we could now work towards a solution. I began intensive weekly therapy. Thankfully, with the help of an awesome therapist that is skilled in the art of DBT Therapy, I am managing my BPD much better. I will never be free of it, but I now have coping skills that allow me to function successfully in my daily life. I have transferred to a college that works well for me and my learning style and I plan on becoming a therapist specializing in DBT Therapy. I live in Eastern Kentucky, and in this area, very few therapists specialize in this type of therapy. I want to stay in this area and provide needed services to people like me. Therapy helped me learn how to manage my BPD. I want to teach others how to do the same. My practical solution for helping people with mental illness is to give back. I have learned how to cope, and now I want to use my education to spread awareness and help others dealing with mental health issues. My experience with mental health has definitely shaped my understanding of the world. I have come to realize that most people deal with some sort of mental health issue. Behaviors that we feel are strange or irritating are often driven by mental illness. People feel like those behaviors are easily controlled or willful. However, they are not. They are often uncontrollable and unexplainable even to the people exhibiting them. I have learned to have patience with people. So many times, even in the very moment I am experiencing them, my BPD behaviors are irrational to me. I can't understand them, so how can others? I have gained an empathy I never had before. Irrational behaviors are almost always driven by a mental health issue. I now look at these individuals with care and understanding. The world is full of people dealing with issues just like me. These days, I view the world with a fresh sense of compassion like never before. Learning to understand myself is helping me to understand the world around me. I understand now that the world needs people to help those struggling with mental health, especially in Eastern Kentucky. I want to use my education to help those struggling with mental health here in my part of the world.

It was the summer of 2021. I had just graduated from high school with a 4.2 GPA. I was excited and ready to begin college and the rest of my life. However, as summer approached, my life began to go in a different direction. I have always struggled with my emotions and impulses, but suddenly those impulses began to take control of my life. Suddenly, I found myself struggling with relationships and instability all the time. I was unable to focus and I fought depression frequently. In the fall, I began college. I struggled the entire semester. I was unable to concentrate on my work. I felt overwhelmed all the time. My relationships with my friends and family began to suffer and I began to make risky decisions. I finished the semester, however my GPA and my relationships took a hit. Luckily, I have a supportive family and they began searching everywhere to find a solution to my problem. We tried therapist after therapist in an effort to get some help. None of them really seem to understand my issues. Eventually, we found someone that was familiar with what I was going through. After many evaluations and assessments, I was diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder. Having a name for what I was dealing with scared me, but also relieved me. Understanding my problem meant we could now work towards a solution. I began intensive weekly therapy. Thankfully, with the help of an awesome therapist that is skilled in the art of DBT Therapy, I am managing my BPD much better. I will never be free of it, but I now have coping skills that allow me to function successfully in my daily life. I have transferred to a college that works well for me and my learning style and I plan on becoming a therapist specializing in DBT Therapy. I live in Eastern Kentucky, and in this area, very few therapists specialize in this type of therapy. I want to stay in this area and provide needed services to people like me. Therapy helped me learn how to manage my BPD. I want to teach others how to do the same. My practical solution for helping people with mental illness is to give back. I have learned how to cope, and now I want to use my education to spread awareness and help others dealing with mental health issues. My experience with mental health has definitely shaped my understanding of the world. I have come to realize that most people deal with some sort of mental health issue. Behaviors that we feel are strange or irritating are often driven by mental illness. People feel like those behaviors are easily controlled or willful. However, they are not. They are often uncontrollable and unexplainable even to the people exhibiting them. I have learned to have patience with people. So many times, even in the very moment I am experiencing them, my BPD behaviors are irrational to me. I can't understand them, so how can others? I have gained an empathy I never had before. Irrational behaviors are almost always driven by a mental health issue. I now look at these individuals with care and understanding. The world is full of people dealing with issues just like me. These days, I view the world with a fresh sense of compassion like never before. Learning to understand myself is helping me to understand the world around me. I understand now that the world needs people to help those struggling with mental health, especially in Eastern Kentucky. I want to use my education to help those struggling with mental health here in my part of the world.

It was the summer of 2021. I had just graduated from high school. I was ready to begin college and the rest of my life. However, as summer approached, my life began to go in a different direction. I found myself struggling with relationships and instability all the time. I was unable to focus and I fought depression frequently. In the fall, I began college. I struggled the entire semester. I was unable to concentrate on my work. I felt overwhelmed all the time. My relationships with my friends and family began to suffer and I began to make risky decisions. I finished the semester, however my GPA and my relationships took a hit. We began searching everywhere to find a solution to my problem. We tried therapist after therapist in an effort to get some help. Eventually, we found someone that was familiar with what I was going through. I was diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder. Having a name for what I was dealing with scared me, but also relieved me. Understanding my problem meant we could now work towards a solution. I began intensive weekly therapy. Thankfully, with the help of DBT Therapy, I am managing my BPD much better. I now have coping skills that allow me to function successfully in my daily life. I transferred to a college that works well for me and I plan on becoming a therapist specializing in DBT Therapy. I live in Eastern Kentucky, and in this area, there are very few therapists specializing in DBT therapy. My practical solution for helping people with mental illness is to give back to my community. I have learned how to cope, and now I want to use my education to spread awareness and help others dealing with mental health issues.