“At the young age of 5 I was molested. In 7th grade a boy on the school bus put his hands down my shirt and pants. I started self harming when I was 14, when I turned 16 my depression hit its peak. I attempted suicide. In that moment I wanted to speak to no one. I didn’t want to be told it’ll be ok or that it gets better. I had seen so many psychologists over the years, I thought there was no help. I turned my anger and sadness into artwork. I was terrible at drawing, however after just continually doodling I noticed my art improving. Sophomore year of college I tried setting up victim offender mediation with the person who molested me. He did not agree. I then realized that I would never understand why he hurt me. It took me 15 years after the incident to not only to forgive the person who molested me but to forgive myself. I realized in that moment that I couldn’t have done anything differently. I remember the incidents but I no longer let them control my life. Life will get tough it may feel like there’s no point going on. This is a lie, life is worth living. You are worth being alive. No matter how bad it gets stay strong. Don’t be your own worse enemy. Ask for help if need be, whatever you do keep moving on.”
--Kat, Student