Category Archives

Journal Journeys

Journal doodle

Contemplating the Unspeakable

By Kristance Harlow | December 12, 2017 |
Posted in ,

I hate admitting this, it’s unspeakable, and writing it down makes it even more real. I’ve been thinking about killing myself a lot. If I didn’t know the horrific trauma that death causes on the people who love the dead person, I think I’d have done it already.

Ocean Wind

You Are Worth Life, Even If You Want to Give Up

By Kristance Harlow | November 17, 2017 |
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If you are hopeless, want to give up, or are contemplating suicide. Please take a minute to read this and call someone. You aren’t alone. You don’t have to go through this feeling alone. You are stronger than you know and more incredible than you believe.

Depression from scrabble tiles

Is This Depression?

By Kristance Harlow | November 3, 2017 |
Posted in ,

Every day I struggle to get up and go to class. I find no meaning in anything I do and I go to a counselor here on campus, but I still feel the same.

Solo Tree Black and White

Alcoholic and Spiraling Towards Bottom

By Kristance Harlow | October 31, 2017 |
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Angry at myself. I’ve been drinking every single day for like a week. I know why I’m doing it. Without something to confuse my sense, I don’t have to deal with this internal struggle.

Me Journaling on the beach

How Journaling Has Helped Me Heal

By Kristance Harlow | August 27, 2017 |
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From a young age, I learned that writing about my pain was like talking to a friend. My journal has traveled as far and wide as I have.

Emotional Selfie

When Depression Shows Her Face

By Kristance Harlow | May 29, 2017 |
Posted in ,

Why is Depression so heavy? Hanging around in the pit of my stomach, a pulsating orb, a cancer re-emerging after remission. The sorrow is physically manifested in my gut. I feel a deep discontent. A piece missing or shifted into the wrong position. A heavy weight, crushing. Like soaking wet wool fabric, clinging to my…

skin picking

I Can’t Stop Picking At My Skin

By Kristance Harlow | May 9, 2017 |
Posted in ,

Mom liked to redecorate and renovate. She decked out the main bathroom in blue and put up yellow and blue wallpaper. The dated linoleum floor was replaced with one to match the new décor. The bathtub had always been blue, now the rest of the room was too.

Social Anxiety and Racing Thoughts

By Kristance Harlow | December 28, 2016 |
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I prefer to go under the radar than let people get close and reject me once they get to know me. I am afraid to be honest.

Mural Buenos Aires

Anxious Discomfort and Chronic Fatigue

By Kristance Harlow | May 19, 2016 |
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No matter how ready this anxiety is trying to make me, there is no way to prepare for doom. Living in fear is a kind of hell.

The Dull Ache of Depression

By Kristance Harlow | May 18, 2016 |
Posted in ,

I’m not incredibly sad all the time. I don’t feel much of anything most of the time. I’m not just sadder than I used to be, I’m less everything.

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call your local emergency number. The numbers listed here are the commonly used numbers for the stated region, the numbers can vary greatly depending on where you live. If you don't know your country's equivalent to 911, this wiki page and The Lifeline Foundation have comprehensive listings.

Americas

911

The Americas

Europe

112

Europe

Africa

112 & 999

Africa

Asia

112, 999, 110

Asia

Oceania

112, 911, 999, 111, & 000

Oceania

Find help for a crisis by texting, calling, or chatting online with these free crisis organizations. Looking for one outside of the USA? Check out our support listings.

Crisis Text Line
Text: “HOME” to 741741

Suicide Lifeline
Text: “ANSWER” to 839863
Call: 1-800-273-8255

Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-7233
1-800-787-3224 (TTY)

Child Abuse Hotline
1-800-422-4453

The Trevor Project
Text “START” to 678678
1-866-488-7386

These online and international resources may help you anywhere you are located. Looking for local support outside of the USA? Check out our support listings.

DV Support Abroad
Call toll-free worldwide
1-833-723-3833

I'm Alive Virtual Crisis Center
Live chat with trained volunteers

Crisis Connections
24/7 crisis support with interpretation in 155+ languages