In honor of the upcoming World Mental Health Day (October 10, 2018), I wanted to have a candid, real, and raw conversation about being an entrepreneur while dealing with depression. I have dealt with depression starting at a young age and it moved its way into the years that I was starting this business as well. There are three goals I wanted to accomplish in this episode: Goal #1: If you are struggling with depression or anxiety, or anything around mental health issues, I want you to know you are not alone. We may not talk about it, but we are out there. You are not alone. Goal #2: To get the conversation started. Mental health issues can be uncomfortable to talk about, but that needs to change. We need to have hard conversations and I’m hoping you will learn some tools in this episode to be more vocal about what you’re going through as well. Goal #3: You can still be successful in spite of, or in addition to, your depression or other mental health challenge you are going through right now. I didn’t want to do this episode alone and I also wanted you to be part of a conversation, so I brought on my dear friend Jasmine Star who also has a history of depression that she shares today, too. I hope that as you listen you will not feel alone, be encouraged, and walk away with some tools and resources to help you move forward as you deal with depression and as you grow your business. Here is the quote Jasmine shared by Elie Wiesel: “I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever humans endured suffering. We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.” These were the questions that Amy and Jasmine asked (inspired by Dr. Amen and suggested by Jasmine): When you are having a negative or overwhelming thought: Write it down. The act of writing it down is like an exorcism. It forces you to see it. Ask yourself about that one thing you’re struggling with. And then ask yourself: Is this true? See what your answer is to that question and ask yourself if you’re 100% certain the your response is true. (Remember, you are not a fortune teller….you can not know with certainty what is destined to be true for you, right??) Then ask yourself, “How does this make you feel?” Then look at that response and ask yourself, “Do you think that those feelings will keep you from the purpose you have in this world?” What would feeling the opposite of this look like? The choice is yours in how you choose to think and believe in your answers to these questions. “We are not our thoughts. The things that we think are not us.” -- James Wedmore Remember: Don’t be ashamed of your story--it’s needs to be heard. Find a support system that will give you what you need in those dark moments. If you don’t have that support system, or even if you do, find a good therapist. Consider exploring medication that may help you. If you are in crisis and need help immediately, please call the National Suicide Prevention LifeLine: 1-800-273-TALK or text “Talk” to 741741.