Anonymous, 26

Hey, my name's Miles (not real name), I'm 26. I want to share a story on how I've won my bouts with depression for over 6 years.

Ever since i was 8, i've lost my dad to cancer, growing up in a single parent household, with 5 other siblings was never easy. I was never the brightest kid in class either. Once I turned 17, it dawned on me that maybe i might never amount to anything and so did the people around me. Everybody i knew never believed in me, not even my girlfriend of 4 years. This realization sent me into a spiral, fearing for my future and not knowing how to turn it all around.

At my lowest, my girlfriend decided to leave me. Every night was a battle in my head, a part of me tearing myself down while the other trying to will myself to keep living. The only reason i keep going was my mother and my siblings, how could i ever be selfish enough to leave them?