When I was six, I was diagnosed with ADHD, at 13 I was diagnosed with depression and at 17 I was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder. Many of my family members, including my parents have had struggles with mental health issues, with some not being able to win the fight. From a young age, I have struggled with anxiety, and instead of having a healthy outlet I internalized it. For years, I tried to ignore it and make it seem like everything was okay. But the constant stress of trying to make sure everything in my life was right with chores, meals, my family, studies, personal relationships, and starting college all accumulated over the years. In my senior year of high school, it all came crashing down. By the second day of my senior year, it hit me that this was it, I was leaving public school and had no idea what to expect next. Yes, I was going to college, but what would that be like? Will I be able to handle it? What if I can’t? What if I fail? All of these questions and more ran around my head and induced panic attacks on a daily basis. Every day I was scared of what could come next after I graduated. My biggest fear was that I wouldn't be able to afford to take care of my brother when my parents were gone and he wouldn't be able to live a happy life. This mental mindset would spiral me into intense panic attacks on a near-daily basis for months. I found college to be great, I was able to adapt well and create a flow that worked for me. I realized that I was scared for nothing. But I still struggle with my anxiety. It does not go away. I am in therapy, the first in my family to do so, and I am still working on my issues. I can recognize when I am coming near a panic attack and put a stop to it. I use school work to distract myself when I am stressed and sitting on a 3.96 GPA currently. I was accepted into the honors academy, Phi Theta Kappa, and the National Society of Leadership and Success. I volunteer at my local hospital and work as a research assistant at the University of Texas Health Science Center in neuroscience. It is extremely important to understand and maintain your mental health because one way or another it will manifest itself. I have learned to acknowledge my feelings and accept the fact that I have to live with my anxiety. But I do not let my anxiety run my life. I think that is what people who struggle with mental health should know. It is never good to ignore the issue because it can grow inside and make things worse. It’s important to acknowledge that there is an issue and to accept that it is there. Once there is acceptance, then working towards coping will be much easier.