TW: Mentions or suggestions of suicide and intrusive thoughts.

When you live with anxiety and depression, sometimes it can be hard to reach out for help. Yes everyone says "reach out anytime" or "call me if you need me", but when you're in those moments, the really dark ones, a big barrier is the feeling of bothering, or being a burden, or sometimes even embarrassment. It's hard to ask for help. But there's the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline to help. I had to use it a few weeks ago. It was a scary moment but I'm so glad I did. What's it like to call or text 988? Here's what it was like so you know what to expect if you ever need to use it. I hope no one ever needs to, but that they do use it if they need help.

You're not alone. You are loved. You deserve to live.

If anyone is struggling with intrusive thoughts or thoughts of suicide, please reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 9-8-8, or even chatting online at www.988lifeline.org