My name is Sara and I am a 23 year old female.

I have suffered from depression for much of my life. I can trace it back to middle school. I started cutting myself when I was 16. I would cut for many of the reasons people harm themselves. If I felt out of control, if I was mad at myself or someone else, if someone had hurt me, if I felt I needed to be punished for poor performance in school or sports, if I felt too much of some emotion, if I felt too little, whenever I fought with my family (which was often), whenever I felt that I needed to be reminded that I was alive. I was a perfectionist - I was never good enough, and I put too much pressure on myself. I felt that my brother was my parents' favorite, and that they didn't love me as much. I felt that I had something to prove to everyone, including myself. I attempted suicide by slitting my wrists and by trying to drink too much. I am an alcoholic. I have been in recovery for almost two years. It has also been that long since I last hurt myself. I went through counseling and I am on anti-depressants. I now have a husband and a little baby girl. My relationship with my parents is still rocky. But having the support of people that have been through situations similar to mine has been a big help, and that's why I wanted to volunteer. I think I can be of some help to those who just don't know where else to turn.

My email is: bullet03@hotmail.com