It's Okay to Ask for Help - Video Story

Trigger Warning: Suicide, Self-Harm

My name is Jaymes Haugen I'm 18 years old from British Columbia, Canada.

I'm an aspiring future psychologist and mental health advocate. I want to be able to spread awareness and help others who are struggling with things they don't talk about. The reason I say future is because I'm still working through some of my anxiety and depression because of the trauma I've experienced through the past 5 years of my life. I've dealt with severe anxiety, social anxiety, and depression for as long as I can remember. Included below is a small video of me telling my story about my experiences with anxiety and depression. I also discuss traumatic events I have been through which resulted in PTSD.

I believe what ADAA is doing can have a huge influence and can make a real impact on how mental health is viewed especially with how many people are misinformed or not informed at all. Mental health should be taught so much more in school because our mental wellness has daily on impacts our choices and every day life. Everyday people struggle with issues in silence, but they could actually change for the better if we continue to raise awareness. As someone who's been through it, I want to help spread the message however possible.

My mental health led me down a bad path, but I'm doing a lot better now. I felt like no one understood me or how I feel, but after seeing what ADAA is doing, I found breaking the stigma through conversation inspiring and very educational. I've struggled with mental health since middle school and even still suffer today so after reading through ADAA's website, I know for a fact that ADAA can make a huge difference for mental health. 

I hope ADAA continues to be an amazing resource and continues to help people by providing information to help people understand how mental health works. Sometimes people just need a helping hand.