“Reach Out” or Reach In?

There is this trend in modern times, of building all these mental health resources and installing hotlines, but we don’t talk enough about how hard it can be for those who are struggling to pick up the phone. When I was in my darkest place, I didn’t have it in me, most days.

Instead, I had Ali*.

Ali, who wrote to me from a continent away, who popped up after a long absence, who made me feel like all of my feelings were valid. Ali was appreciated.

And when things got hard(er) for me, more than a year later, Ali was still there. She drove me to support group. She washed my dishes for me! And to preserve her own sanity, she found others to reach in, too. She built a little “Help Miranda” team.

This is what support looks like. This is how we care for our friends. This is what happens when we acknowledge that even the strongest among us will have times when we feel weak.

Because when things are darkest, it is far easier for you to reach in than it is for the bereaved to find the strength to “reach out”.

It’s inconvenient, maybe. It’s still true.

~
* Names have been changed to protect privacy.

Related Posts:

Miranda’s Blog: A Letter to my Roommate, who Puts up with Far More than She Deserves

Downloadable graphics for “Notes for the Support Team: “Reach Out” or “Reach In”?”: