Reaching out to My Social Media Family. (approx. 2 ½ min. read).

As most of you know, I started creating a platform for myself in August of 2015. First, I created www.davinalytle.com and on August 20, 2015, I published my first blog, called “It’s Time We Started Talking about It.”

Shortly after that, I started posting about my blogs and mental illness on my personal Facebook; by the time November of 2015 hit, I was ready to get a Twitter account. Then, in January of 2016 I created a Facebook page called “I’m Still Here,” and finally, I joined LinkedIn.

It’s been a whirlwind and there have been times when I’ve needed to take a step back; for the most part though, I’ve reveled in it.

I’ve met so many people like me, who are living with a mental illness, and they’ve welcomed me into their lives like I’m a long-lost sister and I believe I have found a place where I truly belong.

When it comes to these people, there is no need to explain why I’m having an ‘off’ day or why I can’t drag my ass out of bed. They just know.

These people, whom I happily call part of my chosen family, are so similar to me that I’ve actually told them on more than one occasion, to get out of my head. It was jokingly, but the thoughts are so incredibly akin to my own that they could have been my own.

This brings me to the reason I’m writing this week’s blog...

This time of year is one of the hardest for people to deal with, especially when they have a mental illness. A lot of people don’t have a family of origin to turn to, or they do but they’re ashamed or scared to reach out to them because of how much they’ve been ridiculed in the past.

The blogs that people are posting seem to be getting more and more desperate. I’m not getting replies from some of the people I talk to regularly and I want you all to know that you are loved; even if it’s only by one person.

I am part of your chosen family and I want you to know I have your back. I won’t be here 24/7 but I’ll be checking in on a daily basis and if you feel like you need someone to talk to, please reach out. Most of you have my cell number, but if you don’t, you can reach me through social media and we can set something up. If you live close enough, you can come and join in the festivities.

I’m not a professional but I’m a pretty good listener and I want you to remember that I’m always here if you need me. I also need you to know that if you’re feeling suicidal, you need to call your local crisis number (http://www.suicide.org/international-suicide-hotlines.html) or get yourself to the nearest hospital.

This too, shall pass. You are worthy and you deserve to live.

Stay safe and stay strong. Thanks for following.