Hello. My name is Ethan Aniag. I live in Ann Arbor Michigan, am 16 and a Junior in High school at the time of writing this, and have finally made my first ever Instagram and social media account because you guys asked for one. Oh, and I also combat my mental health on a consistent and daily basis. I was diagnosed with moderate to severe depression and anxiety at the age of around 12, though it may have started earlier. Since then, I've had a few other diagnoses including social anxiety and ADHD. And though I've made significant progress in my mental health since my pre-teen years, it is still very much prevalent and still very much something I must combat every day. Even still, however, I do not regret any of my diagnoses in the slightest. If I could go back and somehow change my life to where I didn't have to deal with my mental health every day, I can honestly say I wouldn't. Depression and anxiety can really, really suck; but I wouldn't be the person I'm happy to be today if not for them. My ongoing battle with mental health has, yes, given me great pain, but it has also allowed me to understand myself and the way I perceive the world in ways I never would've accomplished without it. I've grown an aspiration to one day be a therapist; so I can help people like me. To make sure no one ever has to go through what I did, or at least do my part in lessening the number. Through all the pain and suffering I've gone through (and still do sometimes), I've learned how cruel and unforgiving this world can be. I know what it feels like to be so, so alone and crushed. I've been there, done that. Still doing it. So in response and understanding how truly hard life is, I strive every day to be as positive, uplifting, kind, compassionate, and optimistic as I possibly can. Not because I think the world is all sunshine and rainbows (believe me, I know it's not), but because this world's already negative and messed up enough, so what's the use in adding your little bit of negativity to an already overflowing cesspool of it? Why not be positive? It's not gonna change the world, but maybe, just maybe, it'll reach someone who really needed it in that moment. Maybe you'll be that one random spark of hope that motivates them to keep going. I'm not trying to change the world here all by myself; I'm not even hoping to change people's lives, or their week, or even the rest of their day, but maybe just that one moment. And maybe it'll be enough. Maybe I'll be the person I so desperately needed when I was 12 for someone else. And I hope I can be that person here. I hope I can brighten someone's moment, help someone I know is hurting like I have, tell them, "Yeah, life sucks. It really does. But I'm here. And you're here. And that's already more than enough to smile about." Thanks.