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*This is a work of nonfiction based on actual events I experienced firsthand; used with permission.*. I have gone through my fair share of mental health professionals in my lifetime, from therapist to psychiatrists, I have “tried on” different people to help me with my issues and I’ve never been slow to fire a therapist that wasn’t working out for me.

Morris County Psychological Association Logo© Morris County Psychological Association. Nancy Sachar Sidhu, Ph.D., President of the Morris County Psychological Association on what you need to know about mental health care.

I've been running since I was 12, and I've been competitive most of that time. From multiple trips to State cross country and track and field meets, to running on the national stage at the NCAA Division 1 level, to completing ultra marathons, I've been around the running block. I've seen firsthand the struggles and triumphs that running has brought myself and other people. I know how much work it takes to be really good, and I've witnessed the reality that hard work is not a guaranteed avenue to success on race day.

*This is a work of nonfiction and opinion based on actual events I experienced firsthand; used with permission.*. I’ve had a therapist on and off since 2012, but mostly on, mostly dependent on a person to talk to every week to augment the ridiculous amounts of psych meds I am on to keep my mental health in check.

I don’t write much online about my mental health issues. In case you missed it, I have major depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Most of my symptoms are under control thanks to a four pill cocktail that I take every morning and don’t think I could possibly live without, but (TMI) lately, since I’ve stopped taking hormonal birth control, my brain juices are all out of whack and I’ve found myself slipping into episodes of deep, serious, verging on a depression that makes me think it’s time to look for a new therapist.

Many people would say that they had emotional needs that were not met as a child. Maybe your parents or caregivers never validated your feelings or told you not to talk about them. You may have even been emotionally neglected or abused.

My mom tried her best to provide a good home. She understood that my father was abusive. So, she found a local therapist and arranged a family session. Nobody talked in the car on the way. The trip felt like going to a funeral.

Russia's Invasion is causing serious mental harm for ukraniansCanva Premium Image. Amid escalating tension in Ukraine, children are enduring increasingly harrowing consequences due to entanglement with the war zone.

It started with a surprise email from my brother. I had not spoken to him for a while. I wished him well and gave him his space. Over the years, I’d hoped to patch up our relationship.

Woman wearing black shirt and black pants sitting on bed photoSinitta Leunen/unsplash. Emotional intimacy is needed to make relationships strong and healthy. Emotional intimacy helps couples to build trustful and long-lasting relationships. Emotional intimacy deepens love bonds, comfort, security and mutual support.

Over a year ago I connected with someone on a social media platform. This individual has hundreds of thousands of followers and is a therapist/life coach for victims of narcissistic abuse. At one point he even provided me great insight/feedback into how he has built up his business.

There’s a certain stigma surrounding mental health. It’s time we squash that old time mentality behind it. Depression shouldn’t be a secret hidden in the darkest corners of your brain… it shouldn’t define you. You are NOT your mental illness… I am NOT my mental illness. Some days, it’s a challenge to explain the way our brains process certain situations. We need to find the words to describe it… no matter how stressful that makes us. That’s the only way others will understand.