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Dear Steph - by Leslie Loera

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    179038

    • Leslie Loera at Pima Community College
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    Dear Steph,

     I remember senior year when you stopped going to school, when you quit your job, and stopped talking to us. I remember the days you would come to school, you left early because you weren’t feeling good, or when you would sit in your car instead of going to class. No one took these changes into consideration.

    I’m sorry that it took us so long to notice that you weren’t okay, that we didn’t put everything together sooner. I’m sorry you had to lose nearly everything for us to notice. There was no help provided for you, no counselors, no family, or friends. You were on your own for nearly 6 months, and your attempt was what made everyone finally notice.

    Being emotionally unavailable wasn’t something we saw a lot or were aware about, it’s not that we didn’t want to help you it’s just we didn’t know the signs. We all figured it was just “senioritus.” I’m sorry that while you were at home contemplating everything, we were at senior ditch days, or we were eating at your favorite restaurants.

    I now realize how many of us are affected, we seem to brush everything off. Brushing everything off will never help us get out of this stage. We can all help each other; we can come together and make it known that not being okay is okay. That seeking help is okay and so is needing each other. So many have been on the same boat as you, and no help has ever been provided.

    You were so afraid to be seen as “weak” for having the mindset you did. Mental health is no joke. When we express it, we are seen as vulnerable. Nobody is taught enough. How should we know that staying in bed all day was a sign? Or being tired all the time is also a sign? We have regulated everything that we have no idea what to look for. Everyone also jokes about “ im gonna kms” but how are we supposed to know that they’re being serious when it’s being said all the time.

    Our generation seems to be seen as “weak” since many seek the help they need while older generations always portray themselves as stronger, as if they were never had a weak mind. They compare themselves to our generation because when have we ever seen them at therapist appointments or when have we ever seen them in physic wards, majority of our parents taught us to keep our feelings to ourselves, but we are slowly undoing what they have taught us.

    You’re much stronger than who your parents are. You’re much stronger than your traumas growing up. Accepting that you’re not okay is the biggest step through the process. Thank you for making me realize that this is all okay, for making me aware of all the signs and what I could do to help. If it weren’t for you I would be clueless of what mental health is. Thank you Steph, not only for helping me but for staying here and trying your best. We’re all very proud of you for working to get everything you lost back, were proud of you for getting yourself back. I’m proud of you for going back to school, for getting your own business, going to therapy, and being able express yourself. Thank you for everything.

    Stay safe and well,

    Leslie Loera

     

    This page titled Dear Steph - by Leslie Loera is shared under a CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Leslie Loera at Pima Community College.