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This year Joshie and I will be participating in HIKE for Mental Health’s #hikeOctober campaign. All contributions will be directly donated to mental health research and trail conservation. For every $1 raised, we promise to hike 1 mile!

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Many of you know Joshie, but not many of you know that he is my Emotional Support Animal. This is not something I freely share because I feel it warrants a justification of why I’m “bad” enough to need him. When it comes down to it, no one will understand what’s going on in my mind, no matter how many words I try to put to it— many days this even includes myself.⠀

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The mind is a beautiful and powerful tool, but thoughts and feelings are not facts. The fact is that I am diagnosed with an anxiety and panic disorder. For me, this means that my mind tries to convince me that I am unsafe, doing something wrong, or loosing control, which can result in very intense physical symptoms.⠀

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After a panic attack, I’ve said that I’d rather break every limb than feel that way again. In those moments, there is no physical pain greater than not feeling at home in my own mind/body.⠀

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If this sounds familiar, you are not alone! 1 in 5 adults in America experience a mental illness, and suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for my age group (NAMI).⠀

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I have experienced suicidal ideation. I have friends that have died by suicide. My best friends, partners, and family members have all struggled with their mental health, as I’m sure you have, too, at some point or another. If you haven’t, statistically, you or someone close to you will— yet the stigma is still so strong.⠀

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That being said, this research directly benefits you and your loved ones! Mental health does not discriminate. So please, if you are able, donate!⠀

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If not, I ask that at some point in October you go on a hike, have a conversation with someone about mental health, and educate yourself on mental health first aid & crisis resources in your area (hint: it’s not 911). Thank you.