I have seen the effects of mental health illness and addiction for as long as I can remember. I myself struggle with depression, PTSD, bipolar and addiction. Seeing how my mother and father couldn't raise me due to erratic behavior that I never understood as a child and always wondered why my grandmother was the strong woman who took me in as her own. I knew I wanted to prove that I could be a better person and strive for more than what they had and could mentally do and were capable of. I still struggle with my own demons every day, but I have learned through my own mistakes that cutting yourself or a bottle of pills will not fix the underlying problems. I slit my wrist at 13 due to my father telling me I probably deserved being raped. I do not want to see one have to suffer thorough that. I have learned from these experiences what not to do with my child and my husband. I was always told "You're going to be just like your mom" as a kid by my grandmother going to middle school because I would be in trouble. That drove me to prove her and everyone wrong. That is one big reason of how seeing and dealing with mental health has shaped me. I understand addicts, people with depressions that say, "I'm fine". I have more understand and patience for anyone and I can spot it better than others. I was told recently that I was a free therapist because some of the time people don't want to be fixed but listened to. For me its ok to ask for help but unless someone wants it all you can do is be there. Understanding is key in all my relationships; I have to step back and evaluate my emotions and think about what I did and how I can do it better. If I need to apologize, then I try to promptly. Seeing how my parents and other friends with illnesses I try to stay aware of emotions. I myself have to be on a schedule, I work out every other day, keep notes for myself on what I need to do for work and life chores. This is how I maintain my mental health.

I have seen the effects of mental health illness and addiction for as long as I can remember. I myself struggle with depression, PTSD, bipolar and addiction. Seeing how my mother and father couldn't raise me due to erratic behavior that I never understood as a child and always wondered why my grandmother was the strong woman who took me in as her own. I knew I wanted to prove that I could be a better person and strive for more than what they had and could mentally do and were capable of. I still struggle with my own demons every day, but I have learned through my own mistakes that cutting yourself or a bottle of pills will not fix the underlying problems. I slit my wrist at 13 due to my father telling me I probably deserved being raped. I do not want to see one have to suffer thorough that. I have learned from these experiences what not to do with my child and my husband. I was always told "You're going to be just like your mom" as a kid by my grandmother going to middle school because I would be in trouble. That drove me to prove her and everyone wrong. That is one big reason of how seeing and dealing with mental health has shaped me. I understand addicts, people with depressions that say, "I'm fine". I have more understand and patience for anyone and I can spot it better than others. I was told recently that I was a free therapist because some of the time people don't want to be fixed but listened to. For me its ok to ask for help but unless someone wants it all you can do is be there. Understanding is key in all my relationships; I have to step back and evaluate my emotions and think about what I did and how I can do it better. If I need to apologize, then I try to promptly. Seeing how my parents and other friends with illnesses I try to stay aware of emotions. I myself have to be on a schedule, I work out every other day, keep notes for myself on what I need to do for work and life chores. This is how