Under Construction - MHWA Retreat

How are you feeling today? How have you been feeling lately?
-I'm feeling really tired and worn out today, almost certainly because of my medication. I recently started Vraylar and while I think it's helping with my depression, sometimes it feels like it's doing so by way of "can't be depressed if you're unconscious!" I've also just been...I don't know. Depressed and pumpkin spice depressed. My mood doesn't like fall.

What are you currently struggling with? What have you accomplished recently?
-Staying awake, keeping up with literally anything I want to do, feeling like I've accomplished anything, feeling like I'm not falling forever behind... But I guess I have been doing all right with Nano Prep and writing. And drawing some for Inktober, so there's that.

What do you think about days that are dedicated to raising mental health awareness? Do they work to fight stigma?
-I'm not sure what I think about them. It kind of feels like people just pay lip service to fighting stigma, then go right back to not caring about mental health or helping people with mental illness. I know not all people do that, but I think a lot of people do.

How can people reach out to those who are suffering from mental illness? What do you wish someone would do for you during your bad moments?
-Keep talking to them. Communication is pretty important, and to keep trying even if they don't answer (but not so much you just get super pushy). I think anything else depends on the person, like some people like distractions, some people want to talk through their worries, etc. I guess I wish I could have more cuddles when I'm having bad moments. That and distractions, but not minding if I fall into talking about what's wrong.

"Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And when you look long into the abyss, the abyss also looks into you."-Nietzsche