I have always been a very independent person. In some ways, this has been a good thing. In other ways, not so much. During a time when I needed people more than ever, I chose to suffer alone. And I think that the societal perception of it all may have contributed to this.

I have always been taught that “feelings didn’t matter”, that emotional pain did not even compare to the physical. And this misconception runs parallel with what society tends to portray: that to feel emotion is to appear weak and vulnerable.

But as time went on and I grew up, I realised that there is NOTHING weak about recognising that something upsets you. If anything, it makes you strong for acknowledging the way that you feel.

We all need a little help sometimes and if you’re down, there’s nothing wrong in feeling that you need to speak to someone. If you feel too uncomfortable in doing so, strive to do something else to make yourself feel better: write about your feelings in a journal, read up on other people’s experiences on the internet, or take out a book on the topic.

The ability to ‘seek help’ does not necessarily have to mean talking to someone, it means doing anything to help the situation that you are in. Don’t feel that you are weak:  you are BRAVE for simply recognising that you have a problem.

So if you are ever down, about anything, realise the importance of seeking help. Remember that loved ones want to be there for the good and bad times, so don’t see yourself as a burden. See yourself as someone who was strong enough to ask for help, and someone who WILL be strong enough to get through it all.

Thuy Le (formerly known as Thuy Yau) is a freelance writer and Youth Work graduate living in Perth, Australia. She loves to share her own personal experiences about overcoming adversity, as she believes that human beings are more capable than they realise. She writes to make a positive difference in the world and to inspire others to learn from themselves and their own experiences. Her writing has been discussed on radio, won writing contests, appeared on The Huffington Post UK and major Australian sites such as news.com.au, SMH, Kidspot and Essential Kids. She has just completed her first book – a memoir - and is on the search for a publisher.