Editor’s Note: Journalism I students who have published on the Hyphen website this school year were given the opportunity to write and publish a final message to readers on a topic and with a style of their choice.

by Daysha Gray

We are not failures. We are not unintelligent. We are not a disappointment. We are strong people.

We are all loved. If it’s not by that certain someone we truly need to be loved by, it’s someone else in our lives. 

This month is dedicated to those of us who face various mental health challenges. Whether it’s PTSD, anxiety, depression, BPD, eating disorders, or other conditions, this month is for everyone navigating these struggles.

It is hard to deal with something that just brings our happiness down. This feeling just sticks with us and is planted in our brains. It causes our energy levels to drop and makes us unmotivated. 

People suggest that therapy helps, but sometimes it doesn’t. Sometimes absolutely nothing helps, but we can’t give up now. There is a long life ahead, full of greatness.

For anyone who might be feeling ready to give up everything, don’t. If love feels absent and the world seems harsh, remember that there is faith in those enduring these struggles. Though I’m just a stranger, I understand that facing such challenges can be tough. 

As a person facing these struggles, this is to all JHS students grappling with these feelings as well: there is no need to feel alone. Even in moments of feeling unseen or unloved, this message stands strong: greatness resides within. Anything is achievable with determination. Keep moving forward.