Real Stories, Real Hope

"I spent most of my university years thinking anxiety was just who I was. The racing thoughts, the constant worry about assignments, the way I'd avoid social events – I thought that was normal for someone my age."

It wasn't until my friend Maya gently suggested I talk to someone that I realized maybe this wasn't just "university stress." Finding a therapist felt overwhelming at first. I didn't know where to start, and I was worried about the cost since I was already struggling with student loans.

Through my university's counseling center, I connected with Dr. Patel, who specialized in working with South Asian students. Having someone who understood the cultural pressures I was facing – the expectations to succeed, the difficulty talking about mental health with family – made all the difference.

Therapy taught me that anxiety wasn't a character flaw. I learned breathing techniques, how to challenge my worried thoughts, and most importantly, how to be compassionate with myself. It took time – about six months before I really started feeling different – but now I can recognize when my anxiety is trying to take over.

To anyone reading this: It's okay to need help. It's okay to prioritize your mental health. And it's okay if it takes time to find the right support. You deserve to feel better. - Priya, 22, Toronto

"The hardest part wasn't coming out to my family – it was dealing with their reaction and the depression that followed."

When I told my parents I was gay last year, their response wasn't what I hoped for. They needed time to process, they said. But "time" felt like rejection, and I spiraled into the worst depression of my life. I stopped going to classes, barely left my room, and felt like I'd lost my family.

A friend connected me with the Pride Center at UBC, where I found a support group for LGBTQ+ youth dealing with family issues. Hearing other people's stories – some heartbreaking, some hopeful – helped me realize I wasn't alone and that family relationships can evolve.

I also started seeing a counselor who helped me work through the depression. She taught me that my worth isn't determined by other people's acceptance, even when those people are family. We worked on building my self-compassion and finding joy in small things again.

It's been eight months now, and while my relationship with my parents is still complicated, it's slowly improving. They're asking questions, learning, trying. And more importantly, I'm learning to love myself regardless of their journey.

For anyone struggling with family acceptance: Your identity is valid. Your feelings are valid. And there are people who will celebrate you exactly as you are while you wait for your family to catch up. - Alex, 19, Vancouver

"I had the perfect GPA, the perfect internship, the perfect LinkedIn profile. So why did I feel so empty?"

Senior year of university, I was burning out but couldn't admit it. I was getting straight A's, had a prestigious internship lined up, and everyone kept telling me how "together" I was. But inside, I felt like I was drowning. I wasn't sleeping, I was anxious all the time, and I couldn't remember the last time I did something just because I enjoyed it.

The breaking point came during finals week when I had a panic attack in the library. A kind librarian sat with me until I calmed down and gently suggested I talk to someone at student services. That conversation probably saved my semester – and my sanity.

Working with a counselor, I realized that my perfectionism was actually a form of anxiety. I was so afraid of failure that I'd forgotten what success actually felt like. We worked on setting boundaries, saying no to things, and finding activities that brought me joy without any goal attached.

Learning to be "good enough" instead of perfect has been life-changing. I still work hard, but I also rest. I still have goals, but I also have hobbies. I still care about my future, but I also enjoy my present.

To my fellow overachievers: Your worth isn't measured by your productivity. Rest isn't lazy. And sometimes the most radical thing you can do is be kind to yourself. - Jordan, 24, Calgary