Dear Friend,

If I asked you, “What is the bravest thing you have ever said?”, what would your answer be? You might think of many things—words spoken in courage, moments of defiance, or times when you stood your ground. But does the word HELP ever come to mind? Have you ever said it out loud? Or have you held it in, swallowed it, convinced yourself you didn’t need to say it?

If you have never asked for help, is it because you truly believe you can do handle everything alone? Or is it because, in the past, you did ask, and no one came? Did that silence discourage you, making you believe you were better off keeping your struggles to yourself?

I understand. I really do. Because I have been there, too.

A lot of us hesitate when asking for help, and for a reason. Somewhere along the way, we were taught that asking for help is a sign of weakness. We grew up in a world that glorifies independence—where strength is measured by how much you can handle alone. We were made to believe that struggling in silence is noble, that seeking support is burdensome, that we must carry everything ourselves.

But that isn’t true. And yet, sometimes, it still feels true, doesn’t it?

If in the past, you have reached out for help and were ignored, that experience stays with you. It doesn’t just make you reluctant to ask again—it creates a deep sense of loneliness, mistrust, and emotional exhaustion. It makes you feel like your voice doesn’t matter, like your struggles are yours alone to bear. It makes you wonder: Was I overreacting? Was my pain not big enough? Am I just not worth helping?

I remember the first time I asked for help. I was young, and I was struggling. I turned to adults—people I thought would listen, people I thought would care. But they brushed it off.
“It’s not a big deal.”
“You’ll be fine.”
But it was a big deal—to me, it was everything. Their words left me confused. Maybe I was overreacting? Maybe I was too sensitive? Maybe my feelings weren’t real?

That seed of self-doubt grew. Every time I sought help and was ignored, I convinced myself that asking was pointless. I stopped reaching out. If no one was going to help, why should I keep making myself vulnerable? Why should I let anyone see my pain? So, I built walls. I convinced myself that I didn’t need anyone. That I could figure everything out alone. That even if it was hard, even if it took longer, I would do it myself. I had to.

But here’s the thing about walls: they keep people out, but they also keep you in.

Over time, I realized something: I am human. And humans need help sometimes. No matter how strong or capable we are, there are moments when asking for support is not just necessary—it’s the wiser choice.

So, I made a door.

A door in my walls, through which I could let people in—or step outside when I needed to. It wasn’t easy to build. It took time, trust, and courage. But I did it. And that door changed everything.

I started with small steps: reaching out to the people I trusted.
“Do you have time to talk?”
“Can I share something that’s been on my mind?”

There were times when even that felt impossible. In those moments, I wrote—pouring my thoughts onto paper, untangling my emotions, figuring out my next steps. Sometimes, I found answers. Sometimes, I just felt lighter. Either way, it helped.

And somewhere along the way, I realized that we all have safe people—the ones who will listen, who will understand. Maybe they’re family. Maybe they’re friends. Maybe they’re mentors, teachers, or even strangers who turn out to be exactly who we need. And if you still feel like you have no one—please, please reach out to a professional. They exist for a reason. They want to help.

Because here’s the truth: no one can help you if they don’t know you need it. Even the people who want to be there for you may not realize how much you’re struggling unless you tell them. If one person doesn’t respond the way you need, don’t give up. Keep trying. Keep reaching out. Someone out there will listen.

I know it’s hard. I know asking for help feels like exposing a wound, making yourself vulnerable, risking rejection. But I also know this:

You deserve support.
You deserve to be heard, to be understood, to be helped.

Recently, someone close to me was struggling. They didn’t reach out until things became unbearable. When I asked why they hadn’t come to me sooner, they said, “It’s not easy to ask for help.” They felt like asking would mean they weren’t strong enough, that it would make them seem incapable. They feared judgment. They feared being seen.

And that’s when it hit me – this isn’t just my story. This is our story. So many of us feel this way. Why is asking for help so hard?

But let me tell you something I wish someone had told me:

Asking for help isn’t weakness. It’s strength in its purest form.

There is a quote from The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy that has stayed with me:

Read that again.

We are human, and humans are not meant to do life alone. We are meant to lean on each other, to hold each other up when the weight of the world feels unbearable. Strength isn’t in suffering silently. Strength is in allowing yourself to be seen, to be known, to be supported.

I know it’s not easy. I know that asking for help means taking a risk. It means allowing yourself to be vulnerable. It means facing the possibility that someone might not respond the way you hope. But asking for help is never wrong. You are never wrong for needing support. And you are never alone.

So, if you’re struggling, if life feels heavy, and if you’re scared to reach out—please, please take that first step. Say the bravest word you can say:

HELP.

You don’t have to carry it all alone. You are worthy of care, support, and understanding. There is always someone willing to listen—you just have to reach out. 💙

You are not alone. And you never have to be. 💙

With love and understanding,
Your Friend

Have you ever asked for help? How did it feel? Your story might be exactly what someone else needs to hear today. Share your experience in the comments and help remind others that they are not alone. 💬

Images courtesy of Freepik and bumoparent.

Note: The Free Your Mind Mental Health Society is an independent youth-led organization. The contents of this blog are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. In the event of a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 911 or other local emergency numbers immediately.