If you are reading this it’s because I am a mess and can’t be trusted to respond appropriately. I get a lot of email and it gets overwhelming so I have family help me when things get hard but I feel bad about not responding so instead I wrote you this. It is a poor excuse for a hand-written letter but I hope you will understand that setting limits is important to keep me upright.
So first, hello.
If you are here it means that 1) you sent me a lovely letter sharing how something I shared may have helped. If this is you then I cannot thank you enough. These emails get printed out and when I’m feeling more stable I read them and I can’t thank you enough for sharing. For real, thank you.
Or it means that 2) you sent me an email because you are struggling and need help. If this is you then I hope you know how unalone you are. Depression lies in impossibly strong ways and I know that. First off, I’m proud of you for reaching out. I wish I was strong enough to answer every single email but I can’t without falling into that hole myself so instead I’m going to tell you here something very important…you are needed. Even if you doubt it, I swear it is true. If you are struggling, reach out to a friend or family member. Reach out to a doctor. If you get a shitty doctor, fuck them and find another one. Keep fighting. I know you’re tired. I know the world seem impossible. I promise you will get through this if you keep fighting. Reach out to the crisis hotline in your area. They have saved me so many times. I’m so sorry you’re going through this. I love you even if we’ve never met.
Never doubt how incredibly important you are.