Brianna – I Refuse to ALLOW Two Seconds to Define My Life

I became the victim of cyber bullying in 8th grade. To make matters worse, my counselor actually told me that it was all my fault. The next year, I made the decision to come out as gay. I never realized how hard that would be–how cruel kids could be. By my sophomore year, I was deeply depressed.

On March 9, 2015, I decided I couldn’t handle it anymore and took an overdose of Advil and my migraine medication. It was two seconds of weakness. I knew immediately I had made a terrible mistake.

After I was released from the hospital, I was sent to a psychiatric hospital for a week where the doctors helped me understand what was happening to me and how to cope. Although there is a terrible stigma associated with such facilities, I don’t regret going there at all. I was able to get the help I needed. I still struggle with depression and anxiety, but I do not want to hurt myself anymore.

No one in Loudoun should lose their future to a few seconds of desperation.

The Next Chapter

Instead, I find that helping others helps me. It makes me feel better when other students trust me. So, I joined a peer-to-peer nonprofit program that works to prevent teen suicides. I focus a lot of my time on helping special needs kids and students struggling with depression and anxiety. I love the message we deliver—that it’s perfectly ok to be different. It helps me see a better side of the world and makes me want to be a better person myself.

But, I was surprised when I learned that I had been nominated for a scholarship award because of my work with the program. I was so honored when I actually won. I will be using the money to pay for school when I attend Longwood in the fall to study Criminal Justice. I want to be a police officer or an agent. I know I can’t save everyone, but, I also know I can help some people. That’s why I want to be in law enforcement.

I don’t have to worry about my own well-being anymore. And neither do my parents. I avoid social media and big parties and all the teenage drama. Instead, I focus on maintaining a small circle of close friends. I know life is great, and I feel very optimistic about the future. I just wish everyone could feel the same.

Won’t you be a part of the solution and help us End the Need in Loudoun?