Back at the hospital

I can't believe we are back at the hospital. Back in the mental health and wellness wing. Back to visiting our daughter every day. But this time it's different. This time Tony took her because I was out of state. This time it's summer.  This time the waiting room in CPEP was empty. This time the wait between arrival and admission was eight hours instead of 18-36 or more. And this time, this time it's Jasmine.

Depression really sucks. It's so complex and unexplainable. It is so much more than a deep and heavy sadness. It takes the light, meaning, purpose, hope, and joy out of your life, regardless of what is going on, who you are with, and what you are doing.

The good news is that my girls know that we care. They know that we believe mental illness is real and serious. They know that we believe in help and hope and that we are there for them every step of the way. The fact that my girls can even share a small piece of what they are going through with us, is the reason they are alive today. My heart breaks not only for what my girls deal with, but for all of those hundreds and thousands of people who struggle and have no one.

Help is important. Support is important. Medication, therapy, and treatment are important. And loving, supportive people in your life, people you know you can depend on when things get extra shitty, are often the only thing between life and death. Even just one person can be all the difference. You don't need to know exactly what to say, it's being there that matters most.

So I ask you to open your eyes. See the pain and be the hope. Sometimes it's draining to love and support someone with a mental illness, but the reward is so worth it. They are worth it. Their life is worth it.  You need to be the one to make sure that they know that. Be the person someone else needs right now. Open your eyes and ears to those around you. Even the smallest act of support could be life-changing. And life-saving. So today I ask you to be the reason that someone seeks help or finds hope. It's as simple as letting those around you know that if they need someone, you are there.

So here we go, back to daily visits at the hospital. Doing whatever it takes to be a strong, supportive family for Jasmine, a watchful eye for MacKenzie, and a loving heart for anyone who needs it. As To Write Love on Her Arms says - "we will be the hopeful" because we know that hope and help are real. Whatever it takes, for as long as it takes, we will keep fighting. And there will be better days.