My personal experience is a rough one. I was abused and neglected growing up, causing a slew of mental health issues and mental illnesses. Shortly after my mother passed away, I was able to go to get the help I needed, finally. I went to a psychiatrist, and finally told them so many of my issues. During that appointment, I was diagnosed with severe manic depression, severe social and generalized anxiety, OCD, and PTSD. Following this, we talked about therapy, and whether I should go on it. At the time I decided no, it wasn't the best for me. Therapy never helped in the past and was honestly just frustrating. And that's okay, to not go with it. A year later, I started college, found a therapist that was genuinely helpful, and live with a fiancé who supports me through everything. I started living as an example that you don't have to become what the story wants you to. Every story like this, most abused children turn to drugs, alcohol, or violence because that's how they were raised. Either that, or they end their life before it can get to that point. I like to live my life as an example to others suffering through similar scenarios. No matter how hard life may be starting you out, YOU have the choice on how it goes. We can only control our reactions to things, not what things happen. In the face of adversity, you can still come out better for it. Maybe not perfect, as I still stuffer and need help, but I'm not dead, and I'm honestly thriving. Your childhood doesn't have to be the end of it. That's what I want to show the world.

While I suffered the loss of a close family member, it was by no means a loved one. Growing up, I was in a household of abuse. There was an immense amount of emotional neglect and manipulation, as well as neglect in my medical care. My father was an alcoholic and not in the house, so my mother was the main perpetrator. In the end, my mother passed in 2018, and I'm still suffering from the fallout of it. My mother never encouraged anything; If anything, she strongly discouraged college and would even argue to us she would never support us if we went. It made my high school plans so much more different than what I wanted, where instead of me going to college for psychology or music, like I wanted, I instead went to a technical school for childcare and started a career in that. Once she was gone, after a sudden diagnosis of cancer, I realized I was free to do what I want. She wasn't going to help me in the first place, and she never did in the past anyway. Her judgement wasn't going to cloud me now. So now that the fallout is fading, I've decided to be an example of the best outcome of an abused child - pursuing my dreams in a career most might frown upon, and I'm determined to excel in it. I have wonderful supports outside of her, and I want to become a little message of hope to others in similar situations to me.

I don't believe one specific one has impacted me; In general, however, they've completely changed my life. I wouldn't have the friends I have without the connection of manga between us. People who wouldn't have given me a second glance came up to me just to ask what manga I've read. It started with manga like Tokyo Mew Mew in the 5th grade and evolved to manga like Doubt in high school, but I always found a friend through those connections. Honestly, my friendships from these conversations have lasted me longer than any other friendships I've made.

Make it more likely that people suffer consequences when belittling mental health issues and those who have them. Whenever people can go around and make fun of people with these issues and suffer no consequences, those who struggle with mental health feel hopeless, like they're being ignored instead of listened to. Countless times have I been told to kill myself in school and the kids who said it got off scott free. So many times people on social media tell me I'm "retarded" when I post about mental health things, or mental disorders, and nothing is done. These people go off on others too, saying the same, if not worse things to others, causing harm to people and getting no punishments. It's maybe a little more difficult than just "give them consequences," but it still needs done. School kids should be made to learn what their words and actions do to others, scientifically and emotionally. Show them that its more than words, that it actually effects the body and is causing literal harm to their victim. On the adult end of the spectrum, this is where we should introduce fines. Adults know better, or should, and shouldn't be petty enough to resort to name calling. This is where, especially when there's proof of it on things like social media, they should receive a fine based on the severity of their words. All the fine money can then go towards advocacy for better mental health support. Better support will trickle back down to teaching the children what their words do, and it becomes a large circle in the end. Its easy to introduce, no one wants to though.