As an 18-year-old woman living with bipolar disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder, I have faced many challenges. However, I refuse to let these conditions define me. I have found that opening up to friends and family about my struggles has been a crucial step in my healing process. Through therapy and medication, I have learned coping mechanisms that help me navigate my mental health. It’s not always easy, but I am grateful for the moments when I feel balanced and in control. I want others in similar situations to know that they are not alone, and that there is hope for a fulfilling life despite these challenges. It’s okay to ask for help and to not be okay all the time. We are all in this together, and together we can support each other through the highs and lows of living with mental illness.