Kim
Kim
There is nothing wrong with what happened to me
I knew that there were people who struggled with mental health challenges, but I couldn’t wrap my head around the idea that it was a common thing—and that I could be among them.
For Kim, it took a crisis in her marriage to change her mind about mental wellness. One session with a marriage counselor led to the realization that Kim was deeply despondent and having thoughts of suicide. This led to her hospitalization at McLean. There, after some initial resistance, she embraced the treatment.
I struggled at first because I didn’t think I belonged there, I didn’t fit in. But then I thought I should make the best of it and see what they had to say.
Once I took that approach, it was such an amazing, enlightening experience. I came out of it thinking I can get help, I don’t have to go through this day to day.
“I can get help, I don’t have to go through this day to day.”
During her time at McLean, Kim started to understand that she had been struggling with depression for most of her life, but she—and those around her—didn’t know the warning signs.
Growing up, mental health wasn’t something that was discussed. It was a vague concept that applied to someone else. Even at my lowest, I thought everyone feels this way, it’s normal—but it’s not.
Now she better understands her condition and is willing to do what it takes to get better. Kim continues to see a therapist, and she is making progress.
I judged myself for being diagnosed with depression—I thought it would reflect badly on me, so I didn’t tell anyone about it. I couldn’t accept myself. How could I expect others to support me?
But I’ve come to realize that this is okay. There’s nothing wrong with what happened to me.
