Oh man, I am the worst at introducing myself to a group of strangers. First blog posts are just as awkward as first dates…and in this case, first blind dates! My name is Sara Goguen. I am a 24 year old, East-Coast Canadian gal. I am hard-working, organized, caring, and mildly funny among many other things. I have a college diploma, a full-time “grown-up” job, a loving family, amazing friends, pretty much everything a girl could ever ask for. Oh, and I struggle with depression.
Most days, I look like this:
But, I have days where I look like this:
After deciding to start being open about my struggles with depression with friends and family in April 2012, participating as a Community Correspondent for the Partner’s For Mental Health NOT MYSELF TODAY campaign, and realizing that a national conversation needed to be started about mental health, I have decided to start this blog. Through this blog I will share my own story with mental illness, profile various mental health organizations, profile others who are fighting to end the stigma of mental health, share my thoughts on stats and news stories, answer your questions – if you have any, provide hope to someone who feels they can relate to my story, provide understanding for those who have never dealt with mental illness and other things I think are inspiring or beneficial – whether that be a funny cat video, a picture or song.
I will likely start many posts with a disclaimer saying I AM NOT A MEDICAL OR PSYCHIATRIC PROFESSIONAL and everything on this blog is purely my opinion. If you or someone you know feel as though you may be a harm to yourself or others – please contact your local emergency services immediately. It is my sincere hope that what I say and share will resonate with you and inspire you to start your own conversation about mental health. By erasing the social stigma around mental health, thousands of lives could be saved. Be a superhero – you never know whose life you are going to change.
