Mental health has been a prominent factor in my life since 2022. That year, I was a junior in high school and just gotten back from a trip to Italy. I was tan, energized, and ready to begin a new year. Shortly after the start of the school year, my best friend of 16 years and I cut contact. And I was sitting at lunch with her new besties that had caused our separation. I tried to remain cordial, as we had all been friends. On top of that, my car had been hit by a deer, one month before I was set to get my license. But it all became too overwhelming by December. During that month a prior coach of mine had passed away. While at lunch, a boy at the lunch table asked me loudly and clearly, “did your coach die?” Soon thereafter I began skipping lunch and doing work in the library. One person reached out once noticing my absence. I skipped any half day I could and my grades began to slip. My world history teacher reached out to my parents in concern of my wellbeing as I had a 6%. At this point, I had one friend at school, I isolated myself at home, and cheer became my escape. Although a situation pertaining to cheer lead me to have panic attacks almost daily. I was screaming and crying to my parents who just didn’t know what to do. By January I’d begun therapy. And by May, I broke my fibula and would be in a boot for six months during my senior season. My therapist and one remaining school friend are the reason I persevered. I went to therapy once a week for nearly three years. Through her I was diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and anxiety. If I hadn’t reached out for help, I don’t believe I’d be where I am today.