Once a year every year we celebrate another year of life with all of our closest family and friends. We cover up cakes with fluffy pink icing, decorate the house with cheery streamers and balloons and light little candles too briefly to see them melt. We all smile and sing and celebrate how happy we are to be alive.
But what’s going on inside? Beneath everyone’s outward icing and party hats are internal struggles that remain hidden and unaddressed. Although we all struggle in internal isolation, we are more surrounded with a community than we think. One becomes more freed and empowered over these internal struggles knowing that he or she is not isolated in this suffering. Being vocal and transparent about mental issues can create a community of support that can provide hope for people who would have otherwise felt hopeless.
