How I Fought Through the Darkness That Almost Cost Me My Life—And Why Mental Health Matters Now More Than Ever

In 2018, I came face to face with the darkest period of my life. It was a time when I couldn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel, and every day felt like a battle against something inside me that I couldn’t control. My mental health, which I had long ignored and downplayed, had reached a breaking point. I was living in a fog of depression, anxiety, and despair—and for a brief moment, I thought the only way out was to end it all.

Thankfully, I survived. I didn't give in. But it was the hardest and most pivotal moment in my life, one that led me on a journey to reclaim my mental health, to learn how to fight for my well-being, and to find the strength to raise my voice and help others. If you're reading this and feeling lost, hopeless, or like you're drowning in the darkness, know that you're not alone. There is hope, and there is a way out.

The Moment That Almost Took Everything

The year 2018 started like any other. I had a good job, a decent social life, and on the surface, everything seemed fine. But beneath the surface, I was falling apart. Over the months, feelings of sadness and anxiety became more intense. I couldn't sleep, couldn't focus, and felt a constant weight on my chest. I tried to push through it, thinking I could handle it like I always did. But deep down, I knew something was wrong.

I had never really dealt with my mental health. I brushed off the signs, convinced that I was just "stressed" or "going through a phase." I didn’t talk about it, didn't reach out for help, and certainly didn’t want to be seen as weak. But the more I ignored it, the deeper I sank. The isolation was suffocating, and the self-doubt and shame built walls around me.

One night, I found myself standing on the edge, metaphorically and literally. I had been spiraling for days, caught in a cycle of dark thoughts that made me believe I was better off gone. I remember feeling so exhausted—exhausted from trying to pretend everything was okay, exhausted from holding on to an illusion of control that was slipping further away by the day.

Somehow, through the haze of hopelessness, I reached out. I called a close friend, something I had never done before. That one act of vulnerability, of admitting I wasn’t okay, saved my life. My friend didn’t judge me; they simply listened, and that alone made a world of difference. From that moment, I knew I had to get help.

The Long Road to Healing

Getting through that moment of crisis didn’t solve everything overnight. In fact, recovery from mental health struggles is a long, winding road. But reaching out for help was the first step. I sought therapy, began learning about my condition, and started taking the necessary steps to rebuild my mental health. It wasn’t easy. There were many days when I felt like giving up again, but with time, I found tools to manage my mental health.

Therapy was key in helping me understand the underlying causes of my struggles. Through talk therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), I learned to identify negative thought patterns and replace them with healthier, more constructive ways of thinking. I was also diagnosed with depression and anxiety, which helped me understand that my mental health wasn’t a reflection of my weakness but rather a complex interplay of genetics, environment, and life experiences.

In addition to therapy, I made lifestyle changes. I started prioritizing sleep, exercise, and nutrition. I started practicing mindfulness and meditation to help me stay grounded. I surrounded myself with people who genuinely cared about me and who didn’t shy away from talking about mental health. Slowly, I learned that I wasn’t broken—that I was healing.

But the most important thing I did was allow myself the space to feel. For so long, I had tried to suppress my emotions, to be "strong" and "tough." I learned that being strong doesn’t mean pretending everything’s fine; it means accepting your vulnerability and asking for help when you need it.

Spreading Mental Health Awareness

One of the most powerful lessons I learned in the wake of my mental health crisis was the importance of raising awareness about mental health. So many people suffer in silence because of the stigma attached to mental health issues. We are taught, often from a young age, that emotions are to be controlled, that asking for help is a sign of weakness, and that if you can’t see it, it isn’t real.

But mental health is just as real and just as important as physical health. It deserves the same level of care and attention.

After my experience, I became committed to breaking down those stigmas. I wanted to speak up, share my story, and create spaces where people could talk about their mental health without fear of judgment. I began volunteering at mental health organizations, advocating for resources and support for those in need. I also started speaking publicly about my own journey—sharing the good, the bad, and the ugly—because I knew how powerful it was to see someone else who had been through the darkness and made it to the other side.

There’s something incredibly empowering about sharing your story, whether it’s with a friend, a therapist, or on a platform that reaches many. When we talk about mental health, we validate our own experiences and show others they don’t have to go through it alone.

The Importance of Fighting for Your Mental Health

It’s easy to feel like you’re not worth fighting for when you’re in the midst of a mental health crisis. You might feel like you’re a burden or that things will never improve. But I’m here to tell you that you are worth fighting for. Your mental health matters.

I know that it’s hard, especially on the days when you feel overwhelmed or exhausted. But fighting for your mental health doesn’t always look like big, dramatic changes. It can start with something as simple as acknowledging that you need help, reaching out to a friend, taking a walk outside, or practicing deep breathing for five minutes.

And most importantly, it means recognizing that there’s no shame in having mental health struggles. There’s no shame in needing help. We would never tell someone with a broken arm to "just get over it" or "push through." So why do we do that with our minds?

A Message to Anyone Struggling Right Now

If you’re reading this and struggling, I want you to know that you’re not alone. Mental health struggles are incredibly isolating, but they do not define you. There is help available, and there are people who want to help you find your way back to a place of peace and balance.

Please, don’t wait until it feels like it’s too late. Reach out, talk to someone, take that first step. I promise you that the darkness isn’t permanent, and even though it may feel like it right now, there is a way through it.

The road to healing isn’t linear. There will be good days and bad days, but that’s okay. What matters is that you keep going, one step at a time. And remember: You are worthy of love, you are worthy of care, and you are worthy of a life worth living.

In the end, it was my fight for my mental health that allowed me to reclaim my life. And now, it’s my mission to help others fight for theirs. Because we’re all in this together, and we all deserve to find the light—even in the darkest of times.

If you’re struggling, reach out. You matter.