By Stephanie Roth
Always scared, so I avoided.
Running and hiding were all I knew.
I did what I thought was best.
I did what I thought was safest.
But every time I avoided,
I had to start all over again-
return to the same door,
the same fear waiting.
Avoiding never saved me.
It only delayed my life.
So I had to stop running-
Not because I’m fearless,
but because I’m ready
to face it.
Stephanie began volunteering with NAMI Washtenaw in 2021, and has also been working as Outreach Coordinator since 2023. She is passionate about writing, sharing her mental health journey to help others to not feel so alone, and working to break the stigma surrounding mental illness.