Dear Dearest,

Dear Dearest, 

I read your posts everyday and you are truly inspiring. But sometimes you sound so sad. Are you depressed? 

A faithful follower. 

Dear “Faithful Follower”,  

I’m so humbled that you said you are inspired by me. I just want God to use me, so you are inspired by the God in me. Glory!!! That means everything to me but to answer your question; Am I depressed? I do post a lot to support that question. But no I am not depressed. I’m Dearest. Depression is a place, a space, not a being. And I have a Ph.D in it because I lived their for almost a decade. I can tell you the space is a dark rollercoaster, where your tears collide with the mask of “fine”. But like prison there is a release and I want to give folks that I left there the keys to come back; to come back to themselves. 

It took me two weeks to answer your simple question because I don’t want anyone still residing there to feel shame or condemnation. My hand is stretch out to pull them with me but I only have two arms. I need everyone that’s not there to help pull those folks out, in love of course, in life of course. 

I will post more genuinely happy stuff because I am so blessed to be in this space. 

Thank you and I love you.  

~ Dearest 

Keep writing. I’m behind but I will get to them all. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

SAMHSA's National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.