I’m so very sorry to hear of your struggle, April. I also admire that you decided to speak out in this particular forum. I graduated in ‘71, and have been a mental health therapist for the past 20 years. Both my spouse (also a P’ton grad) and I have struggled with severe clinical depression, which intermittently derailed us both in our 20s, 30s and 40s. But good medical treatment, regular exercise, CBT, and other forms of self-care have kept us healthy and active in our respective careers for most of our adult lives. It’s so crucial for folks to reach out for help when they need it - and working to dispel the stigma around mental illness is the very first step toward doing that. Thank you so much for sharing your story - and I hope your life continues to be a meaningful and fulfilling one for you.

Mary Azoy ’71