Hi, I’m Amber, and I am 26 years old. I own a counseling business in Colorado Springs that focuses on suicide and self-harm prevention. I enjoy doing all things “crafty,” painting, tai chi, reading books, and spending time in the mountains. I grew up in the Midwest, but the mountains have been calling my name for as long as I can remember. In elementary school, I would get in trouble for drawing, painting, or doodling mountains into every project. So, when I got the opportunity to move to Colorado over five years ago, I jumped at the opportunity. Every time I see the mountains, I feel a sense of grounding and peace that I hope never subsides.  Looking back now, I experienced mental health challenges since childhood, but I do not feel that I was truly aware of those struggles until I started college. My identity was strongly rooted in my need to be a high achiever and a deep desire to be perfect. When I received my first “C” I was devastated, and this plunged me into my first deep depression. My solution at the time was to run away and join the military. I enlisted in the Army as a Medic.  The military brought to light past trauma that I did not know was lurking below the surface. I was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance twice for what I now know were panic attacks. These panic attacks developed into a fear of leaving my home, obsessing about every object being just-so in my apartment, and an inability to sleep. Life became so unbearable that at the age of 20 I tried to end it.  My husband pushed me to go to therapy, and words cannot describe how thankful I am. My husband and my therapist saved my life. Having bi-polar II disorder I understand the ups and downs all too well. We all deserve to build a life worth living. I choose to live because of my family, friends, having the opportunity to help others, and to see the beautiful mountains every day.