Hi,

My names Em I'm 27 and live in the UK.

I suffer with severe social anxiety disorder and depression and have done so since I was 13 years old. I’m very lucky as I have an amazing support structure and wonderful family who did and still do everything in their power to help me with my mental health.

A few years ago I was referred by my GP to the Mind mental health charity where eventually I was introduced to one of my very best friends Natalie, though on here she is known as Neheigh FluffyDoddle. Through Neh I was introduced to the world os Skip Beat! And a few other of her choice Anime/Manga and since then my love for it has grown in leaps and bounds. I still do struggle with my mental health, but every day I’m getting better or on my bad days I have people like Neh to remind me that things can and will get better.

This is the first time I have ever published anything I have written and I will warn readers now that my first story will include a lot about mental health and how it affects people, how it is an illness and something that even though it cannot be seen it can be just as debilitating a physical disability.

To any of you out there that may be suffering, the best advice I could ever give you is to tell someone, whether it be a friend/family/GP/Charity (such as Mind, Good samaritans, Childline) Do Not Live In Silence! There is someone out there waiting to help you! And the bravest thing you could ever do is speaking up and taking that first step.

It’s Ok to be a

Glowstick.

Sometimes we have

To break before we

Shine.