If Mental Illness Has Ever Made You Feel 'Broken,' This Hashtag Is for You

I understand what it’s like to feel as if a part of you is missing, to feel as if you’re so broken you’ll never be able to pick up the pieces. I understand what it’s like to look in the mirror and not recognize your own face, because you’re not who you used to be or who you thought you’d become. I understand the fear and trepidation about whether you’ll ever be able to live a full life again, or if you’ll feel like this forever.

These are the words of Mighty contributor Madeline Muotka from her piece, “To Those Who Feel Broken.” If you can relate to her words about feeling “broken” because of your mental illness or health condition, you’re not alone.

Mental health advocate Michaela Malone wanted to do something to support people who may have felt “broken” because of their struggles, so she created the hashtag #BraveNotBroken on Twitter. The hashtag has been trending for the past few days.

i kinda want to start a tag for us mentally ill folks that’s called either #bravenotbroken or #badassnotbroken to show that our struggles don’t make us weak, in fact they make us strong af, and that speaking out about is a sign of bravery, but i’m too afraid it will flop lmao

— mic ☭ (@socialistmic) April 2, 2018

“I created the hashtag to dispel the myth that mentally ill people are somehow broken, that we’re in need of ‘fixing,’” Malone told The Mighty. “I created it to show we’re brave and amazing individuals whose struggles have not broken us, they have made us stronger, and to let people know they’re not alone!”

Check out some of the responses from #BraveNotBroken below:

1.

#BraveNotBroken got bullied all my life for my weight (still happening today) being in and out of hospital when mums had to undergo scans and surgery because of her heart disease having time off school from panic attacks and breakdowns from stress but I’m still here ☺️❤️ pic.twitter.com/9cel634zfG

— imo FAN (@Magic_suggwell) April 3, 2018

2.

I have borderline personality disorder, anxiety, depression, and ocd. Have suffered from anxiety since elementary school. Still here today after some less than happy days. #BraveNotBroken pic.twitter.com/qzwVnL8DvZ

— Joshua James (@JoshuaMackFit) April 2, 2018

3.

Diagnosed with Cerebral palsy and SR at birth due to barin bleeds at birth , that caused a lof off low self esteems with anxiety and self harm for a few years but we’re still here and you’re not alone no matter what you’re going through ❤️ #bravenotbroken pic.twitter.com/6V9ybQsByi

— sister el ♡ (@sistershookx) April 3, 2018

4.

abusive parents, sexual assault, chronic depression since age 8, bpd, and complete self hatred have worn me down. but. no matter what, i'm still here and fighting to be happy and breathing even though it's hard sometimes, and i'm proud of everyone doing the same. #bravenotbroken pic.twitter.com/fEHntr1fM9

— ari the useless gay (@northernbcy) April 3, 2018

5.

After dealing with domestic abuse, PTSD, ADHD and recently cancer I’m still standing. Still breathing, still alive. My struggle is part of my story. I am #BraveNotBroken. Don’t be ashamed of your story, it will inspire others. Thank you @micha3lamal for inspiring me daily???? pic.twitter.com/K2TfJPZ63q

— Nick (@nick_v93) April 2, 2018

6.

#bravenotbroken 3 years ago I was in a psych ward promising myself I wouldn’t make it to my 18th birthday. Now I’m 18 years old, I have a job, amazing friends, I’ve met my soulmate and I had top surgery & started testosterone which saved my life. Thank god I broke that promise???? pic.twitter.com/3PlSgYDHMd

— Taylor (@SELFXDEFINED) April 3, 2018

7.

tw // a borderline with countless disorders that has been struggling for +5 years to survive i made it this far almost 18 years old #bravenotbroken pic.twitter.com/CLpRexhRIT

— ; (@eatingpills) April 3, 2018

8.

I'll say it. I've had ocd, anxiety and depression since I was 15, I was raped at 18, I nearly failed a levels and lost all my friends due to my illnesses, I was bullied to the point of near suicide… but I'm still here at 21. #bravenotbroken pic.twitter.com/E9WnG0w9gA

— emily (@emdrakeley) April 4, 2018

9.

dealing with mi’s at a young age drained me of my happiness slowly. It felt as if I lost a reason to smile every day that passed. but there are going to be days where I’ll have a thousand reasons to and I want to be alive to experience that #bravenotbroken here’s to smiling pic.twitter.com/ZBZxa3Bt4g

— Mersayde (@Mersaydeisart) April 4, 2018

10.

TW:

between a traumatic childhood, eating disorders, being diagnosed with bpd/depression/anxiety, an abusive relationship, sexual assault, and suicide attempts: i’m still here, living, and have managed to create a beautiful human! truly #BraveNotBroken ???? pic.twitter.com/MqEju2EVXN

— allana (@allanainlights) April 2, 2018

11.

– Avoidant Personnality Disorder (AvPD)
– Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
– Binge Eating Disorder (BED)
– Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD)
– Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder (DPD)
– Attachment Disorder (AD)
Still there. Still fighting.????????#bravenotbroken pic.twitter.com/zsW3kPFD4x

— cereali boi (@fitzgerwilde) April 3, 2018