Mental health has become a major challenge over the past 20 years, especially in the age of technological advances and a fast-paced environment. Keeping up with a changing world while simultaneously navigating the burdens of mental health has been proven to be a challenge time and time again. My personal struggle with mental illness has impacted every aspect of my life. From schooling, to relationships, to community connections. I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder when I was in junior high school. I grew up with a bipolar mother, which was the prominent support for my diagnosis. Having a mental disorder such as bipolar in my adolescent years made everything I did seem more challenging. In particular, I struggled to keep up with schooling. I would have long episodes of depression or long episodes of mania for months at a time. During these episodes, doing basic activities like going to school, spending time with friends, or even practicing self-care seemed impossible. My grades dropped to Ds in my first year of high school. At this point, I stopped attending classes regularly. I didn’t feel like I fit into any of my classes, and I felt more alone than I ever had before. Sophomore year was when I attempted to take my own life. A near-death experience changes a person. After spending 12 hours seizing and hallucinating, I was surprised to wake up again. My parents were at my bedside and all my friends had sent me messages wishing me a speedy recovery. I never realized that I had friends in the first place. This experience made me realize I wasn’t alone, even if my bipolar made it seem that way. In the weeks after, during my recovery, I decided to make a change. I started taking my medications frequently and opening up to those around me about the ways in which I was struggling. This was one of the hardest things I had to do. Being an open member of the LGBTQ+ community, I knew about the stigma around mental health. When people learn an LGBTQ+ individual struggles with mental health, they can automatically use that fact against them. Gender and sexual orientation have been politicized as a mental illness, not as a part of someone's identity. I was terrified that if I told people I was bipolar, they would label my sexuality as a mental illness as well. This fear was enough to keep me quiet up until I attempted. Two of the people I told reacted in the way I had feared, but everyone else was supportive and loving towards me. Without the support of my family and friends, I am not sure if I would have made it this far. I have gone from a student who struggled to get a passing grade to a student who has made the dean's list three times since entering college. I am living proof that having the proper support structures in your life can change everything. Despite the challenges I have faced all my life, despite my mental disorder, I have learned to strive. I am thrilled to continue my journey in life with my head held high.