As we celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month, The Bridge affirms our commitment to walking alongside youth in their healing journey. Youth receive holistic care ranging from onsite therapy, support groups, and community connections that make them feel safe, accepted, and supported.
Throughout this month, we’ve been engaging in conversations with youth about breaking down barriers around mental health. Hear directly from one youth in shelter as they reflect on their own journey and how The Bridge has inspired them to keep going:
I am going to be real: Right now, I don’t feel my best. And that is okay.
Somedays I feel really overwhelmed being in shelter. But I know that there are people here to help me. Part of me actually feels happy knowing I have plans and goals to work toward. Having access to these resources is making my mental health more manageable.
Since coming to The Bridge, I try to keep my peace. Being here gives me a safe space. The staff are super nice and make life feel more normal while I go through hard transitions. Their support makes me less worried and more hopeful. I feel like my nervous system is calm.
I am learning coping skills and grounding techniques. When I feel overwhelmed, I am reminded to take walks and breathe. Surprisingly enough, cleaning my space helps me calm down. It helps declutter my mind.
Coming to The Bridge, my first goal was to be calm and confront the feeling of being overwhelmed. Now I feel like I can start to find the root of my problems. Maybe I can even heal.
I never really thought about what healing looks like before. Maybe it’s feeling at ease? Whatever it is, I know it takes time.
Mental health is serious and takes commitment. It is a lot easier when I have people hearing me out and supporting me.
I’ve learned that we are all stronger than we think. Having mental health issues doesn’t make you any less of a person. It’s important to talk about it and keep working. Thanks to the support at The Bridge, I know I have it in me to keep going.
