Hi, I'm new here. I suffered with depression all my life, but I can happily say that I finally managed to overcome it this year. 

As a kid, my parents fought all the time. Yelling, screaming, throwing things. I was almost kicked out when I was 9. 

They divorced when I was 10, and my mom and I moved out with my oldest sister. My other sister dropped out of school and left home. We were really close and it broke me not knowing where she was. 

I had to switch schools at this time. This was when my anxiety started up. I became so afraid of people and situations, I began to self harm. Every night. I attempted suicide numerous times. My best friend, Sam, was the only thing getting me through. Then, he passed away in a car accident. I almost didnt make it through that. I was 12. I closed up, and didnt talk about it for a year. He had given me a heart pendant necklace and I still keep it on me. 

I identified as atheist, mad at the world. I wanted to die. My mother always had a new boyfriend. Abusive ones, alcoholics. Her and I ended up drifting further apart. 

Once I hit grade 9 (highschool), my self harm stopped. I didnt really notice it stopping, until one day I looked at my arm in a T-shirt and nothing was standing out. My anxiety and depression were still very much there. I also came out as Pansexual. I can say I've never felt insignificant due to my sexuality, I'm most proud of being pansexual.

I got *my* first dog, Zelda. She was our other dog's puppy. She is a german shepherd born with straight leg syndrome. So she was disabled, but her passion drove me to a different outlook on life. She didnt let anything stop her. 

My best friend at the time was Marie. I met a guy, trent, who I was head over heels for. So I decided to introduce them, cause I didnt want to date a guy my best friend didnt like. Well she liked him. They started dating. Despite that, I remained her friend. It killed me every second.

At 15 I was kicked out. My dad moved to British Columbia with his new girlfriend. I had to leave my dog, most of my things. I was couch hopping for almost a week and finally moved in with my oldest sister. It was here when I discovered Buddhism. I wasnt as angry, I felt like I could really breathe. 

I met another guy, coincidentally Trent's foster brother, Andrew. Again, head over heels. We hit it off pretty well.

Fast forward a few months and I'm moved back in with my mom, an hour away from my hometown. I was put on antidepressants. I'm dating Andrew, and made a new friend Annah. She introduced me to her boyfriend, connor. A few weeks later, I was sexually assaulted by connor. This was the breaking point for me. I got pregnant. I came to terms with it, decided to keep her, and then ended up having a miscarriage. (I am pro choice.) My boyfriend cheated on me with his ex girlfriend. 

I had no one. I was completely alone. I wanted to die. I couldnt leave my house. I received a kitten as a gift. A little black and white tuxedo cat. I named him Frank Sinatra, and he had basically replaced the baby I lost. I focused hard on Buddhism. I devoted myself to my pets. I dropped out of school. During this hiatus, I got strep throat and forgot to take my antidepressants. By the time the strep throat cleared, I felt fine. I didn't feel anxious, I wasnt crying every night. This was November 2016.

My mother and I became homeless. We lived out of our car for almost a week. 2 dogs, and 3 cats, and us in our car. Her friend managed to get us an apartment in the country. 

I got into photography. It's my job now. I haven't had a relationship since, but lately the interest is back. I am still devoted to Buddhism, and I spend a lot of time working with animals. I help people anytime I can because I know how hard it can be. I plan to open a free, all day therapy center for kids and adults at a farm. Being around horses is proven to help with anxiety and depression. I am back in school, an adult school, going at my own pace to get my highschool diploma. I have 4 friends, and thats all i need. My sister who moved away when I was young is living in the apartment below me with her 3 kids. 

All in all, I made it. I never thought I'd live to turn 16, and soon enough I'll be 18. I am almost living my dream already. I love my job, my pets, what I do for people. It will always get better. Life is constantly throwing shit at you, but you need to embrace the good times. Embrace the good things in your life and make them your life. Even if it is just a cat or dog. Use your religion. Use your passions. Never give up. I am always available to help you.