“I suffer from depression” are not the four words that you would have expected to come out of a teenager's mouth on a global stage. Yet, some are breaking the stigma and talking about mental health issues by expressing themselves. The teenager who spoke up on the TEDXKids@Ambleside stage in May 2013 is Kevin Breel. Kevin is a teenager, a stand-up comic, a writer, and an activist for mental health from Victoria, British Columbia. We both have ties to this beautiful city.

Perhaps you were like me; you never really thought death or serious illness would happen to you or to someone you cared about deeply.  Then one day, you get the news.  Trust me, how you cope with it makes all the difference. I initially wrote this post months ago, but after hearing many stories of illness recently, I thought it would be fitting to share this story now.

Jessica Larsen is a word-wrangler, story-seeker and general lover of wonder + whimsy. She loves green smoothies, summer evenings, and motivational movie montages. She is actively pursuing a life of inspiration, adventure and truth. By day, you can find her giving legal and policy advice to the Government. By night, she is a cape-wearing online superhero who writes, pontificates and inspires over at www.sparrowandsea.com and Hello Wordsmith. Thanks, Jess, for sharing with us the lessons you have learned throughout your life! Keep writing, smiling, and sharing your story! 

Tracey Carmichael is a Life Coach and Author of Happy Mind Formula - Your Action Plan to Mental and Physical Wellbeing. During Tracey’s 15 years as a Natural Therapist, she discovered a missing link between depression and happiness. Through her own personal experience, she discovered a formula to break this debilitating condition. With a holistic approach to food, movement, and exercise, she was able to create positive change in her own life and in the lives of her clients. Her passion is to share this message with the world to help people understand that they do have the power to move from depression to happiness.  You can check out her website at  www.happymindformula.com.

Today, Felicity Lumb, who writes a blog called The Life and Loves of a girl called Felicity, is sharing with us about perseverance.  She has a powerful story to tell as she battled with and overcame anorexia.  She turned something negative into something positive - I love her honesty! Her blog was started as a way for her to promote healthy body image and fight mental health stigma.  Thanks Felicity for reminding us to Keep Loving the Skin We're In!  I'm so glad I reached out and connected with you!