Mental health issues in the United States are a sensitive topic, especially among teenagers. Leading up to prom, I struggled with a lack of self-worth, especially when I could easily compare myself to my peers. Before what was supposed to be a great night, I had mainly suppressed these emotions under the guise of an uncompromising, masculine attitude regarding my mental health. I was under the false impression that if I looked for help, other people’s views of me would change, so I was suffering in silence. These feelings all came to a head on prom night of my junior year. With my beautiful date and wonderful friends all having a great time on and off the dance floor, I found myself in a permanent state of sulkiness. I was seemingly disconnected from reality, coping by locking myself in solitary confinement, even in an environment where fun was supposed to be the main focus. Naturally, I was lackluster at hiding my negative attitude regarding the celebration, and the people close to me began to notice something was off. The drive home following the dance’s conclusion was awkward, to say the least; my girlfriend didn’t say a word to me, and I was not sure whether to cry, be angry, or feel anything. When I walked through the door, my parents were shocked to see me home so early. I believe they could tell something was wrong with me, but they didn’t push further into my aloofness after their initial questioning. The real defining moment for me was the realization that my selfish actions had ruined the experience of some of my closest friends. My girlfriend should be credited for this defining moment that initiated a period of personal growth. In our conversation that night, she mentioned how my actions had driven her away, including how my selfish, arrogant attitude made her feel that she was at fault for my withdrawn mannerisms. This confessional session hit me like a truck when I realized that the feelings I had kept up for so long created the exact opposite outcome of what I had intended. I was convinced that my anguish would only hurt other people if exposed to the outside world. This was an epiphany greater than any I have ever experienced. After a lengthy conversation with my girlfriend, I agreed to become more forthcoming about my mental struggles and stop treating them like they were not real issues. Before this event, my fragile state of mind could not handle being subject to real-world problems. It sounds incredibly arrogant in hindsight, but this had been the view of the world I had held for all of high school up until now. Following this event, I have tried my best to reach out to other people, not only for my own sake but for theirs as well. My relationships with others and myself have noticeably improved since my meltdown at prom. While it was undoubtedly one of my worst moments, this learning opportunity has changed my life for the better. Acknowledging one’s mental health is a stigmatism in our society and should be treated as a strength instead of a weakness.

Mental health issues in the United States are a sensitive topic, especially among teenagers. Leading up to prom, I struggled with a lack of self-worth, especially when I could easily compare myself to my peers. Before what was supposed to be a great night, I had mainly suppressed these emotions under the guise of an uncompromising, masculine attitude regarding my mental health. I was under the false impression that if I looked for help, other people’s views of me would change, so I was suffering in silence. These feelings all came to a head on prom night of my junior year. With my beautiful date and wonderful friends all having a great time on and off the dance floor, I found myself in a permanent state of sulkiness. I was seemingly disconnected from reality, coping by locking myself in solitary confinement, even in an environment where fun was supposed to be the main focus. Naturally, I was lackluster at hiding my negative attitude regarding the celebration, and the people close to me began to notice something was off. The drive home following the dance’s conclusion was awkward, to say the least; my girlfriend didn’t say a word to me, and I was not sure whether to cry, be angry, or feel anything. When I walked through the door, my parents were shocked to see me home so early. I believe they could tell something was wrong with me, but they didn’t push further into my aloofness after their initial questioning. The real defining moment for me was the realization that my selfish actions had ruined the experience of some of my closest friends. My girlfriend should be credited for this defining moment that initiated a period of personal growth. In our conversation that night, she mentioned how my actions had driven her away, including how my selfish, arrogant attitude made her feel that she was at fault for my withdrawn mannerisms. This confessional session hit me like a truck when I realized that the feelings I had kept up for so long created the exact opposite outcome of what I had intended. I was convinced that my anguish would only hurt other people if exposed to the outside world. This was an epiphany greater than any I have ever experienced. After a lengthy conversation with my girlfriend, I agreed to become more forthcoming about my mental struggles and stop treating them like they were not real issues. Before this event, my fragile state of mind could not handle being subject to real-world problems. It sounds incredibly arrogant in hindsight, but this had been the view of the world I had held for all of high school up until now. Following this event, I have tried my best to reach out to other people, not only for my own sake but for theirs as well. My relationships with others and myself have noticeably improved since my meltdown at prom. While it was undoubtedly one of my worst moments, this learning opportunity has changed my life for the better. Acknowledging one’s mental health is a stigmatism in our society and should be treated as a strength instead of a weakness.

Mental health issues in the United States are a sensitive topic, especially among teenagers.  Leading up to prom, I struggled with a lack of self-worth, especially when I could easily compare myself to my peers.  Before what was supposed to be a great night, I had mainly suppressed these emotions under the guise of an uncompromising, masculine attitude regarding my mental health.  I was under the false impression that if I looked for help, other people’s views of me would change, so I was suffering in silence. These feelings all came to a head on prom night of my junior year.  With my beautiful date and wonderful friends all having a great time on and off the dance floor, I found myself in a permanent state of sulkiness.  I was seemingly disconnected from reality, coping by locking myself in solitary confinement, even in an environment where fun was supposed to be the main focus.  Naturally, I was lackluster at hiding my negative attitude regarding the celebration, and the people close to me began to notice something was off.  The drive home following the dance’s conclusion was awkward, to say the least; my girlfriend didn’t say a word to me, and I was not sure whether to cry, be angry, or feel anything.  When I walked through the door, my parents were shocked to see me home so early.  I believe they could tell something was wrong with me, but they didn’t push further into my aloofness after their initial questioning.  The real defining moment for me was the realization that my selfish actions had ruined the experience of some of my closest friends. My girlfriend should be credited for this defining moment that initiated a period of personal growth.  In our conversation that night, she mentioned how my actions had driven her away, including how my selfish, arrogant attitude made her feel that she was at fault for my withdrawn mannerisms.  This confessional session hit me like a truck when I realized that the feelings I had kept up for so long created the exact opposite outcome of what I had intended.  I was convinced that my anguish would only hurt other people if exposed to the outside world.  This was an epiphany greater than any I have ever experienced.  After a lengthy conversation with my girlfriend, I agreed to become more forthcoming about my mental struggles and stop treating them like they were not real issues.  Before this event, my fragile state of mind could not handle being subject to real-world problems.  It sounds incredibly arrogant in hindsight, but this had been the view of the world I had held for all of high school up until now.  Following this event, I have tried my best to reach out to other people, not only for my own sake but for theirs as well.  My relationships with others and myself have noticeably improved since my meltdown at prom.  While it was undoubtedly one of my worst moments, this learning opportunity has changed my life for the better.  Acknowledging one’s mental health is a stigmatism in our society and should be treated as a strength instead of a weakness.