When I was in high school, I experienced a very "bad trip" on LSD. During this experience, I entered into a level of consciousness where the world and I were nothing. As a result, I had a very intense panic attack. Years later, I continued to experience a replay of the thought patterns that would trigger more panic attacks, often leaving me temporarily immobilized. It wasn’t until after I came to faith in Jesus and read Ecclesiastes that I realized my experience as an adolescent was not simply figments of an active imagination, mental health problems and drug abuse but that it also had real spiritual significance. The words in Ecclesiastes came alive as I connected to the truth that life a part from God is meaningless. It brought me comfort to know that I was not alone in this awareness. At the very end of Ecclesiastes we read Solomon’s “conclusion of the matter”: 

“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgement, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14) 

Before becoming a Christian, it was actually a piece of artwork that helped me stay grounded during my panic attacks. After having made a commitment to stay grounded in God’s word, and to persevere in my faith and wellness, I no longer suffer from reoccurring panic attacks. God has spoken truth into my fear and allowed me to move forward. Scripture has become real in my life, it sustains my life, it is my source of life. 

By: Amy 

Hi. I'm Danielle. I guess I'm here because I self harm in two ways. Firstly, I cut my forearms. Secondly, I binge and burge. For 5 months this has been my only coping mechanism from my sexual assault. Two months ago, I tried to commit suicide by overdose. I almost died, but the ambulance got here in time and I was admitted overnight. I started my road to recovery by speaking with a child therapist specializing in sexual abuse. I'm 14 years old. I still self harm, but I'm getting better. Muchluv

When my Dad passed away 2 1/2 years ago from cancer (16 yrs old then, 18 yrs old now) I didn't understand the horrible sadness and void I was feeling. No one explained grieving and what it was or that it was normal. I heard people online who self harmed and they said it worked. I began to self harm and developed disordered eating. I still haven't told any adult EVERYTHING - esp the suicide attempts. But I have an amazing friend who helped me choose recovery finally and I'm on my way to being OK

We were together for a year and a half and he hurt me. All the problems i had hit me 4 the first time. None of it bothered me til then. I was depressed and all I cud do is cry in my room everyday. My mom always said she missed me..ppl sumtimes looked at the wrists and were relieved, they never looked at my legs. But how can things get Better if I let the cuts hold me back? How can I go to the beach or chill on a hot day without being exposed. I chose to be happy. People need to know I'm strong

In primary school, I was bullied by my entire class. I had no friends, not distant ones, or ones outside of school. I was physically abused (and put into hospital twice) by the boys in my class, and the girls would either have nothing to do with me, or would tear strips off of me. In the middle of gr. 8, I tried to commit suicide. Thankfully, I failed. I transferred schools, I made heaps of friends, and my life changed, quite honestly at the drop of a hat. I was blessed. I won't waste it.