Live Free 999 encourages everyone to speak openly about mental health. We have created a space to share the stories sent to us from our audience to inspire others to share their own journeys, creating a virtual story-telling chain of community and support.
Notice: Some of the stories shared may contain topics that could be emotionally triggering to some members of our audience. Topics such as suicide, self-harm, substance abuse, and trauma are discussed.
Hi, my name is Erin! I am a heart-on-my-sleeve person, so my story will be pretty honest. I grew up with a mother who was addicted to opioid medications. My mother suffered a severe back injury from our above-ground pool, where she fell. I was there as a young child and witnessed the whole thing. After that…the mom I once had was
My name is Sidney, and I’m 20-years-old. I’ve definitely had my fair share of experiencing hardships throughout my life. Let me first off start by saying my life hasn’t always been easy, but really, whose life is easy? I was born with a rare eye condition called “Keratectasia,” which means bulging corneas of the eyes. The front halves of my
I’ve struggled with my mental health for as long as I can remember. It went unnoticed by the people around me up until my teenage years. I ended up in a relationship with someone who was able to use my mental illness against me and manipulated me for 5 years. After that I started using drugs, I just remember all
I know many people have gone through the same thing—a relationship that didn’t work out and left them broken. In my case, it happened almost three years ago. After being with that person, I fell into deep depression. I didn’t know what to do anymore; I didn’t even recognize myself. I tried to find my way, but in the process,
I have struggled with anxiety, depression, and bipolar for years. I realized that my mental health and self-love comes first.But it wasn’t always like this, for me.I used to have bad thoughts a lot, in my teenage years. I thought I was unloved by all my family and friends and struggled with self harm a lot as well.I first heard
My story is long and probably similar to a lot of others, but i just thought i would share a good-bye letter to perks because when i wrote it in rehab, an astonishing amount of fellow addicts wanted a copy to take home with them. Im sure it will resonate with some of you… Dear Percocet, I had never understood
Battling substance use disorder and anxiety is a deeply personal and often tumultuous journey that many individuals face. For me, the onset of anxiety was subtle, creeping into my life during my teenage years. It manifested as overwhelming feelings of worry and dread, making it challenging to navigate daily activities. I sought comfort in substances, initially believing that they would
Embracing Vulnerability: My Mental Health Journey I’ve struggled with anxiety and depression, often feeling overwhelmed by the darkness. But I’ve learned that sharing my story is a powerful step toward healing. For me, recovery has been a journey of self-discovery, self-care, and support. Here are some lessons I’ve learned along the way: 1. *Seek help*: Don’t be afraid to reach
For a long time, I thought the only way to deal with my pain was to escape it. The anxiety and sadness felt like too much, so I turned to pills and alcohol. It was easy to tell myself I was fine because, for a little while, it worked. The world got quieter, and the feelings I hated didn’t feel
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