I had the worst year of my life this year. I have dealt with anxiety and depression for the majority of my life. Unfortunately, my mental illness has created a multitude of issues,not only for me but for those I care about.I started off my school year fresh off of a traumatic break up. Weeks later, my parents announced to me that they were getting a divorce. Shortly after, my grandmother passed away. I started to have panic attacks and began using xanax, maybe a little bit more than I should have. The worst part was the fact that I was away at school, living with some people I thought were my friends. They ended up being unsupportive and judgmental, acting as though I was a paria or some sort of social outcast, a way I have never been treated before in my life. School is a place I once loved and is now tainted with the horrible moments I dealt with this past year. One night, one of the girls I was living with sat down and spoke to me on behalf of the other 6 girls I was living with. It was a long, painful conversation, but the gist of it was this: she asked my why I was so upset (keep in mind she knew about the things I was dealing with and my mental state), and then proceeded to tell me that everyone is annoyed by me and that I can’t act upset because everyone is dealing with their own issues, hers being her friends’ cousin who committed suicide 6 years ago. Not that I would every downplay the severity of another’s issue, she clearly was not genuine and should not have been having this conversation with me for a number of reasons. That’s when I realized that many people aren’t exposed to mental health issues, and maybe my reactions were foreign to these girls. This disturbed me, being that I come from a place where mental health does not have much of a stigma, thankfully. I just came across this website and wanted to share my experience just in case anybody else has had the same issue. If you’re reading this and you can relate, screw the people that look down upon you for something that makes you the beautiful person that you are. They are not your friends, they are the people that are grappling with their own insecurities, which will only prevent you from overcoming yours. Lastly, this pandemic was probably the best thing for my mental health. Many have had the opposite experience, but I really believe that everybody can find a silver lining or a light in the darkness. This period allowed me to reflect on myself, others, and the world. During these last few months, I have watched myself evolve into the individual I have always wanted to be. If you’re reading this, it’s a sign. You have the power to turn things around.