At Last

On March 6th, 2024, I was diagnosed with depression. It wasn't at all a surprise to me. I always new I had something. I just was never brave enough to find out what.

Mental health is often a topic that is overlooked. In some circles, it still remains a taboo. In recent days, many out there are finding that is it OK to talk about this.

Mental health is not a foreign concept to me. I watched both my dad and younger sibling go through in-patient care for conditions like this since I was ten years old. As soon as my dad was discharged, mental health was no longer a taboo topic in our home. One of the things he's always tried to remind me is that mental well being is just as, if not, more important, than physical. You owe it to yourself to take care of your mental health. The night I went to sleep after I was diagnosed, I dreamt. I dreamt, that I was transported back to middle school, in my current age, and I got to talk to my younger self about all of this.

When I was growing up, I was bullied. Mercilessly. For just about everything one may imagine exists in the book. During my middle school years, mental health was not something that was discussed. There were no resources, no dialogues, and no support systems for kids that were clearly struggling, and unsure of what to do. And I know that if I had someone, like myself presently, to help guide me, it would've made the world of a difference.

In my dream, I took my younger self to the therapist I now see. His words were, "At Last"

And that's how this piece was born. At Last.

Mental health and wellness is not a taboo, talking about it is not weakness, and conversations surrounding it need to happen.

Slowly, we all will change the conversation. At Last. For anyone out there who performs this piece, know that I see you, I support you, and I'm cheering you on.

Together, we will all find the help we need. At Last