The Pain Will End, You Don’t Have To

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When people talk about mental illness, they always say people who are struggling need to reach out, but when you are struggling, reaching out can feel impossible. Reaching out can be the last thing you want to do.

There is an expectation that when someone is struggling with self-harm, suicidal thoughts, etc., it is their responsibility to reach out and tell someone.

But what happens when you’ve reached out time and time again, only to be met with criticism? What happens when you’ve reached out time and time again, only to be met with fear? Only to be met with anger or misunderstanding? What happens when reaching out isn’t helpful?

Telling someone about your struggles is difficult. You never know what reaction someone is going to have, and when you’ve had a negative reaction before, reaching out again seems even more difficult than before. It feels like a risk.

When you reach out to someone and don’t receive the help you need, remember these things:

You are important.

You are worth it.

No one is perfect.

Sometimes, people do not understand what you are going through. You will not always be met with perfect responses. People may make you feel broken or like a burden, but you are not. People might make you feel guilty for feeling what you feel, but you are only a human being.

Someone else’s inability to be there for you in a healthy way does not mean you are not worth it or cared for.

Needing to be reminded of your worth is okay. Needing to have someone hold your hand on the hard nights is okay. Needing people is okay.

Having needs is okay.

You are in a fight that feels like it’s never going to end, but it will.

Rain stops.

Snow melts.

Mountains crumble.

Walls can be broken down.

The pain will end, but you will not.