Thread by @AllyGarbs

I believe talking makes a difference. Talking has saved my life. So while I love seeing people share tweets/posts about raising mental health awareness and supporting those who are struggling, I have to be honest and say that words don't always cut it. #BellLetsTalk

After I took part in #BellLetsTalk Primetime Special in 2018, I was overwhelmed with lovely messages from people calling me "brave", "strong" and sharing my story saying they were "proud to know me". It felt lovely to be seen after being so vulnerable.

So, it was extra isolating/devastating that when I was actually in the midst of a mental health crisis about 8 months later, those same people offering the platitudes were tumbleweeds in the wind. They were out there, but bouncing as fast as possible away from me. #BellLetsTalk

I hope the future of mental health includes a greater focus on mental health literacy, in addition to tangible and accessible supports. I hope people can learn real ways to support people when they are showing signs of struggling. I hope they can learn not to run. #BellLetsTalk

I am doing well now. The best I have ever felt. That is thanks to many things, but mostly I owe it to the people who did recognize signs of distress and SHOWED UP. As cliché as it sounds, they reminded me that I was not alone. #BellLetsTalk

I recently wrote a note to my friend @elamin88 thanking him for holding out a hand when I was hanging on the proverbial cliff. He replied:

"You know, all I did was read you back to you. In those moments, the hardest thing to do is get an accurate description of yourself....

"...Of your own victories and strengths. And I'd seen you be brave and be strong and that wasn't how you were talking about yourself, and so I wanted to tell your story back to you, to remind you of the person you are, not the person depression was lying to you about....

"And you are that person, in the most amazing ways."

I'm in tears as I write this, because of friends like @elamin88 , who recognized I was flailing and was brave enough to stand with me. When I couldn't believe in myself, there were people who believed in me until I could.

Be that person. #BellLetsTalk

@elamin88 @threadreaderapp unroll