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Mental health, as someone has rightfully said is embracing your cracks, since that’s how the light gets in. Mental health is about greeting the sharp turns of life with open arms, it is about knowing every inch of you, but most importantly it is about loving every inch of you.

Mental health is a rollercoaster, and accepting yourself truly is a seatbelt. Statistically speaking, approximately 280 million people fall prey to depression, out of which 700000 people commit suicide each year. A study conducted at the Vietnamese Secondary School suggested desolating results, which stated that 19.4% of the candidates suffered with low-self esteem, inevitably resulting in anxiety and depression. 

We know what it’s like to hate that tiny little black spot in our soul. Curse ourselves every single time when we are not beautiful enough or strong enough. We all know what it’s like to hear that little taunting voice screaming that we will never be good enough for anybody. But the truth is you don’t have to be good enough for anybody but yourself. And as far as that black spot goes, treat it like another color in your ever-growing palette and value it because even the stars need darkness to shine.

When a person looks deep into them, they should not attempt to cover the dark or weak parts but rather overpower them or sometimes empower them, for one never knows, when on the road to peace and stability you find home in the best version of yourself.

Life will keep hammering on the nail, which is you until it drives you deep into the wall that is depression. But by understanding yourself, you allow yourself to hang a magnificent painting covered in the colors of happiness on the same nail. Meraki, μεράκι, literally means “essence of ourselves”.

**This blog and all its content, including images, are submitted by students under the Youth Voices Fellowship.**