We are bigger than our problems.

Since it's world mental health day, with immense courage I write this in honour of people around world suffering in ways we don't fully understand. In a sea full of people who show courage and strength in getting up from zero innumerable times, I have my small journey to share. 

In 2018, one ordinary night, I experienced my first panic attack. At that point in time, I had no clue what had happened. In the middle of a conversation in a room full of people I just couldn't breathe.  With my friend at my side,  I felt vulnerable, helpless and uncertain. In that moment, it seemed to me my world had collapsed. Three years and many similar moments later,  I can sense the panic well in time. And although my breathing is under control because I am aware of what it is, my helplessness only increases each time.  

My anxiety taught me many things. Perhaps, more than people could. And I understand when someone shares with me their restlessness, their unsurity. And I try my best to support people in times they feel they are depressed, anxious, paranoid and hyper. 

Mental health means so much to a victim,  a survivor and ironically very little to those unaffected.  Be kind to people in moments where they fear something as big as death.  Like I had supportive friends in every moment of weakness,  I hope everyone in pain finds the same. 

I hope that the world will understand what it is to be mentally exhausted and drained. Help in small gestures and never stop having their back. If it took me three years to share my rather small story,  imagine the courage of those who survive bigger traumas,  those who thrive out of it like heroes. Mental illness is not non-existant, neither is it a taboo.  It's a war bigger than most and we all need to fight it together.  

We are bigger than our problems.  Always.  

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