HEALTH

Alexa Losey, long-time beauty YouTuber, shared this video with her subscribers Wednesday. Titled "that time i went to the mental hospital," Alexa recounts the feelings and events that lead up to her admittance to an "adolescent mental rehabilitation center" at the age of 16.

In the 13 minute video, Alexa names a myriad of issues that were plaguing her everyday life, making it nearly impossible for her to function correctly. Eventually, she approached her parents to request that they admit her to a facility to get assistance. There, she received help for "depression, anxiety, body dysmorphia, an eating disorder, perfectionism and suicidal thoughts."

This video is the most honest and raw we've ever seen the 22-year-old. We commend Alexa for speaking out about a topic that is not only so deeply personal to her, but that is also incredibly stigmatized—even though 20 percent of youth ages
13-18 live with a mental health condition. This takes guts, no matter if you have an audience of one or nearly one million.

What's most important to note about Alexa's story it's that she recognized that she was not well and she asked for the help that she needed. "I knew that—even if it meant dropping everything—I needed to take care of myself," Alexa says. She took the brave and difficult step of reaching out for assistance and now, on the other side of the struggle, she is positive, engaged and thankful.

Remember this: there's no shame opening up about your mental health. Doing so is not is not a cry for help or an attempt to look needy, it is simply you being smart and having your best interest in mind so that you can get the help you need—no matter what it is you're struggling with.

If you or someone you know needs immediate assistance or is having suicidal thoughts, please text the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.

Photo credit: Alex Losey/Brandon Woelfel

by Sydney Adamson | 10/22/2016