mental health

Elephant by Natalie Rodriguez

An Excerpt From The Provocative New YA Novel "Elephant"

Ravishly presents an exclusive excerpt from Elephant, Natalie Rodriguez's provocative new YA novel.  Read...

Live Tweeting My Breakup Landed Me In A Mental Hospital

Soon, it became clear that I was heading into full depression territory, and not necessarily just because my relationship ended. Offline, I was miserable.

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Photo by Hermes Rivera on Unsplash

Feeling Depressed Is Different Than Being Depressed

I'm not here to discredit your experience. What I'm here to say is that "feeling depressed" is a different beast than “having depression.”

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Photo by Samantha Sophia via Unsplash

Blessed And Still Depressed: A Black, Christian Woman’s Reconciliation

My depression coexists with my gratefulness, compassion, and good intentions. I am blessed, yes, but I am also depressed.

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I wish I had realized there was no such thing as being too young to have mental health issues.

I Thought I Was "Too Young" For Mental Health Problems

I wish I had realized there was no such thing as being too young to have mental health issues. That there was nothing shameful about postpartum struggles.

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#NoShameInMyMedGame #endstigma

Destigmatizing Psychiatric Meds Literally Saves Lives

Bipolar disorder is our legacy. Not a great one, but a legacy just the same. Medications keep me alive. Destigmatizing psychiatric meds saves lives!

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Photo by Cathryn Lavery on Unsplash

My Challenge List: How Embracing Challenges Made My Life Better

This article first appeared on The Refresh and has been republished with permission. 


“Six slick slim sycamore saplings and five thrifty, fun, fifty-somethings. . .” I chant along with the rest of the group as I try to slow my breathing. We finish our warm-ups and line up behind the door. Somehow, I end up at the front of the line, place my shaky palm on the door knob, and prepare myself to open it and walk on stage.

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Photo courtesy of the author.

When Getting Out Of Bed Feels Like Climbing A Mountain

I forced myself out the door that morning for a run - depression had sucked the life and determination from my mind and body.

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