I've been fortunate enough to have three extremely talented VAs fill my script about dealing with anxiety. And the reception among readers / listeners has been very positive. I'm glad for that.

It was a tough script to write. It was an even tougher script to publish, given how personal it was.

And I was hesitant to listen to any script fills. When I wrote the script, I was in a certain headspace. With each fill, I worried that listening would cause a relapse; I'd end up right back in that mood again. But each time, I listened anyway. And each time, I was thankfully not transported back into that despair spiral. Instead, I found myself elated that someone so talented would record something I'd written.

Hopefully I sent the right message with what I wrote.

There are far too many movies that treat mental health issues as something that can be "cured" with just a fun adventure or a new romantic partner. Suddenly people are dumping their pills, quitting therapy, and "moving on with their lives." It so doesn't work that way. Yes, it's possible to get better. But it takes effort. It takes a lot of (sometimes very uncomfortable) self-analysis. Also, if you're treating therapy as a burden to be shrugged off, you're doing it wrong.

The listener isn't "all better" after that script. Yes, he's probably very happy in that moment. Who wouldn't be? He just shared an intimate moment with someone. That lonely angst is temporarily gone. And yes, things *can* get better. But it's not a permanent fix. He's still going to have to climb.

Ultimately I wanted to send the message that you're not alone if you're struggling with mental health. It's far more common than you think. And please reach out to someone if you need help. It doesn't necessarily have to be professional help (although the right set of professionals can do amazing things for you). Sometimes you just need to call, text, send a message, or reach out to someone who's already in your life.