I've struggled with depression and anxiety for years. I've been in therapy for years. My mental health has always been an up & down battle, but this time around it got worse. I've sought help for my depression and anxiety for years, but time and time again, I felt the healthcare system had failed me, leaving me feeling frustrated, unheard, and hopeless to the point I felt like there was no return. Earlier in February, I was hospitalized and admitted to a psychiatric hospital, which ultimately saved my life. However, it shouldn’t have taken me that long to receive the help that I needed. If I could think of one word that sums up the current standard of mental health care, it would be inequity. Behavioral health institutions are underfunded, short-staffed, and unable to meet patient needs. This is not okay. America is going through a mental health crisis, and I am simply perplexed as to why treatment facilities don't receive the support necessary to deliver the proper care. Access is another maior issue for the systems currently in place. It's hard enough to ask for help when you are going through a mental health crisis. Add in all the obstacles you must navigate to receive the proper care, it's easy to become overwhelmed, lose hope, and hit rock bottom. I hit that rock bottom, facing my toughest battle yet with my mental health struggle. While eventually, I found the right resources that helped me be here today to type this message, my journey to those resources should not have necessitated the extreme measures taken to finally receive help. While I may not have the ability to institute the change I hope to see at this very moment, I hope to leverage my platform as a voice for those who are struggling and provide resources for those seeking more information. If anyone who is struggling feels lost and needs someone to talk to, please feel free to message me. We all have a role in saving lives and building healthy and thriving communities. I want to turn my adversities into possibilities and give back to those in need with my second chance at life💜