My grandfather took his life when I was very young. It inevitably impacted everyone in my life as they were all close to him too. I was too young to understand what happened and spent years without knowing the truth of his passing. I have limited memories of him and that haunts me. I know he was a goofy man who took naps with a beanie on to cover his eyes. I remember swimming with him and how attracted to him dragonflies were. My most vivid memory is listening to music in the front seat with him when I was far too young just because I asked him. I may have been too young to notice his pain but no memory I have would show signs of his battle. I wish I got to truly know and understand my grandfather, maybe even help him if I had more time with him. I hope to do for others what I didn't get to do for him. I was diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder at 14 years old. I knew my mind was different in 5th grade when everyone experienced so much joy and my life felt dull. I had so many beautiful things around me, yet I couldn't enjoy them the way everyone deserves to. I spent years without a proper diagnosis and that is fortunate compared to others. Too many people go their whole lives without a diagnosis at all. I believe if my grandfather would've gotten the help he deserved and needed, things may have ended differently. Of course I will never know if that is true because he didn't get that opportunity. I want to provide that to others and work to prevent the same outcome. So many people grow up with the idea that depression or sadness is weakness. Whether having a stressful day at work or having a psychological disorder everyone is affected by their mental health. Stress levels can kill someone, yet people believe it isn't just as important as a person's physical health. Someone committing suicide around you can be the most painful thing anyone experiences. People view taking your life as choosing to leave the people around them. It is too commonly referred to as selfish or "the easy way out". There is nothing easy about the road leading people who take their lives to that decision. I believe losing a battle to mental health is the same as losing a battle to cancer or any other illness. However just like those other illnesses, support, medicines, and treatments can change that persons life. I want to provide those treatments. I want to help that battle be overcome not lost.