I Matter

In a world full of life-threatening illnesses and diseases, a world surrounded by a series of uncertainties, I need someone who can keep me green and guarded. Even the World Health Organization (WHO), humans most trusted source when it comes to their welfare, stated that I am critically important for everyone and everywhere. I am integral to well-being, enabling humans to realize their full potential, show resilience amidst adversity, be productive across the various settings of daily life, form meaningful relationships and contribute to their communities. So, Juan, the person to whom I am entrusted, crossed his heart to protect me.

by Nato Besana

wound in me. Little did he know that to keep him alive was to keep me safe and healthy.

He hid all his pains as a secret. While in a frail condition, I tried to open my mouth to talk to him, “Juan, don’t I matter to you? Are you going to let me die? Why did you break the cross you put in your heart?” My voice was inaudible. He muted me, and I became weaker.

Juan and I developed an intimate relationship. He lived his oath to safeguard me from getting blue and keep me in good shape. He fed me with love. His gestures built a strong connection between me and him. His behaviors relied on how he treated me. Whenever I feel ecstatic, Juan as well blooms with joy. The river of calmness was running steadily, but things went out of control - I guess it was stronger than the connection we had.

It is natural for a man to encounter trials in life, but fighting them alone becomes man’s nature, too. He got his first heartbreak, he failed his exams, and he faced a financial crisis. So much for that, his personal problems made him disconnect himself from everyone, including me.

Juan let go of the promise he once held. After turning a blind eye to my importance, he started having trouble sleeping, he lost his appetite, imprisoned himself in Pandora’s box of anxious people, and tears of despair always fell to his cheek. Little did he know that those hobbies which turned into his daily routine have created a

One rainy morning, I saw Juan, my supposed knight in shining armor, preparing to wear a necklace. The necklace was bigger than I thought. It was rough and deadly. I wanted to stop him, but there was a dark force holding me back. Like snow, I am slowly flurrying away, and my last vision was someone with godspeed running

“Hey! Hey, wake up!” As I opened my eyes, I saw a glimpse of light. I heard a familiar

“I’m sorry for not holding on to you. I should have known sooner that you wanted me to protect you because you knew that I needed you to keep me alive and kicking. But now, I know. I learned that you include my emotional, psychological, and social well-being, which is why you affect how I think, feel, and act. You are important at every stage of not just my life, but everyone’s too.” Juan then wrapped his arms around me.

“Look all over the place. I have surrounded myself with a healthy environment. Henceforth, you will be more secure. Do you know why? Because you’re a gem that can’t be bought nor sold - you’re my mental health, and you matter.”

A Depression and Anxiety

5-Step Coping Mechanisms

By Gerald Calolang