This Winter

by Alice Oseman

Actually, I think it was probably my fault it got so bad. When I noticed that something was off with him, I didn’t tell my parents and I didn’t ask him what was wrong. I didn’t talk to him enough. I didn’t do enough.

I hate the way people react when they learn Charlie spent a few weeks as an in-patient. As if it’s the most horrific thing they’ve ever heard. It’s because it automatically makes them think mental asylum and crazy people, instead of treatment and recovery and learning to manage an eating disorder.

When people know you’re mentally ill, most people either want to ignore it completely or they treat you like you’re strange, scary, or fascinating. Very few people are actually good at the middle ground.

“I think sometimes you’re so scared of being a burden that it makes you terrified to ask for help.

This me