This isn't mine and I can't find the author and artist, but all credit to them. 

For more people than you realise, existing and keeping themselves alive is a real challenge. Invisible illnesses kill people, and often others don't realise until it's too late, or it becomes so bad that it begins to physically manifest itself. Don't give up on people when they aren't at their best, or not behaving in character because that's when friends, family and support systems are most important. 

I believe one should always be there for the people in their life, because there are many invisible illnesses that people want to escape from with some laughter, a hug, some kind words, or just someone that shows they care if they aren't up to doing anything. Reassurance is everything to someone who lives each day at war with themselves. After all, people are more than their illnesses, mistakes and 'failures' (I put that in quotation marks because I believe in 'failure', I like to see it as lessons to learn and grow from. Fail is very negative). 

Don't stop making an effort for your friends, don't forget about the friend that suddenly became boring, or stopped going out and texting you- there may be a real problem that needs to be addressed whether it be with your relationship with them or the person. 

There's so much stigma around invisible illnesses that often people keep it to themselves, and away from even those closest to them. It can be seen as embarrassing and scary to admit your weaknesses and vulnerabilities even though it's a strength to be so brave. You're not a disappointment if you're not well, and you're not weak. You've just been too strong for too long, you've suffered quite a blow, or everything's caught up with you and made you sick. 

Whether the stigma lifts or not, it's still important to cherish your loved ones and be there if and when you can. Don't be the one that shuts them down, or makes them worse- seek to uplift people and make them feel good. 

You can't fix anyobody and nobody can fix you- it's always a personal journey but it's one that shouldn't be faced alone because mental illnesses are powerful. You are always stronger than anything negative, but it doesn't feel that way when you're in the midst of your illness. Just like when you've got a cold, and you forget what it's like to breathe through both your nostrils simultaneously; or you have a stomach bug and you forget what it's like to eat a normal meal and the very notion of eating is simply unfeasible.

 Mental illnesses are just as real as physical ailments if not worse because you know your wound will eventually heal... If it's a bone you can even guess the time, but you just can't tell when it's a fault in the mind, and once your mind is damaged, you never go back to the person you were before. You may even end up envying those that have something to show for their pain. A cast you can sign, a cut, a bruise, because for you there's nothing but that inner turmoil that warps the way you see everything, sucks the enjoyment out of life and rots you from the inside, yet everyone else is still the same. The world keeps passing you by, life goes on and people may be none the wiser. 

Invisible illnesses are more common than you might think- especially mental ones. Even if someone isn't medically ill, life gets really tough, it gets stressful and it gets overwhelming. That's why I always stress the importance of being kind and spreading love. Kicking people when they're down is what can trigger deeper things or aggravate a situation. If someone reaches out and they're silenced, it could silence them forever, or make it so their voice is always that little bit quieter. Please don't leave people with scars. 

The world doesn't have to be a horrible place at all, and we can show that. Don't ever underestimate an act of kindness. We as human beings can change the state of the world with our actions. Together we are more powerful than the people with power that spread negative messages, and hatred even though we are all part of the same human race. 

We are better than cruelty, even animals that we are quick to assert dominion over show more compassion. Something went wrong somewhere and things need to change, it's a problem that so many people live in darkness and we need to spread some more light and make this planet more hospitable. We have the rest of our lives over here so I enocourage you to join me in spreading the light, even if you feel it's dim where you are. 

Love,

-Dalanda

xoxo