Mental illnesses are so misunderstood and taking so lightly all over the world and in high schools.

If you’re depressed, you’re a “freak”, if you have social anxiety and don’t talk, you’re “weird”, if you have self-harm injuries, you’re “crazy”. The list goes on.

People are the way they are for many reasons.  Everyone has a story and not everyone needs to share that story. It is theirs and they don’t owe anyone an explanation for being the way they are.

No one deserves to feel like they are not “normal” or are an outcast because they are not like everyone else. There is nothing wrong with being different or unique.  “In a world where you can be anything be yourself” is a quote people should live by during their high school and college years because when you’re done with high school and college being popular isn’t going to impact your career or the things you do down the road after.

So next time you decide to make fun of somebody because they are different, look different, or because it is the “cool” thing to do, think again because that person has the same feelings you do, and your words are powerful and can impact peoples life’s in a negative or positive way. So use them wisely.