HARTFORD, Conn. - eTradeWire -- Mental Health Awareness Month — a time when we're called to check in with ourselves and those around us, to recognize the invisible battles many face, and to shed light on the importance of mental well-being. For entrepreneur, author, and mental health advocate Justin Calabrese, this month is not just symbolic — it's personal.

"I've struggled with mental health over the years," Calabrese shares. "There were times when the days felt too long, the nights even longer, and hope felt like a flickering light barely visible through the fog. I know what it's like to smile through pain, to say 'I'm fine' when you're anything but, and to isolate yourself without even realizing it."

Healing, he emphasizes, is not linear. It doesn't come from a single solution or a quick fix. "I didn't wake up one day magically okay," he says. "But through time, trial and error, and support, I found ways to breathe a little easier when the walls started closing in."

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In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, Calabrese has released a list of coping strategies and reminders, offering support for those who may be feeling overwhelmed, lost, or simply tired. His message includes:

• Talk to Someone: Whether it's a therapist, friend, or family member — you don't have to carry the weight alone.
• Move Your Body: Physical movement, no matter how small, can shift energy and ease anxiety.
• Create a Safe Space: Find a place or community where you can be fully yourself.
• Practice Mindfulness or Meditation: Even a few moments of stillness can calm the nervous system.

"Mental illness is not a character flaw," says Calabrese. "Depression isn't weakness. Anxiety isn't laziness. You're not broken for feeling this way. You're human."

Calabrese urges anyone struggling to reach out — not only in times of crisis, but anytime they feel stuck, tired, or alone. Resources like the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) exist to help people feel seen, heard, and supported.

"If you're in a dark place right now," Calabrese says, "please know this: there is still light ahead. Keep walking. Keep breathing. And when you can't walk anymore, lean on someone until you can."

About Justin Calabrese:
Justin Calabrese is an entrepreneur, author, and business consultant who has guided over 150 microbusinesses to success. A suicide survivor and mental health advocate, he uses his personal experiences to speak openly about the realities of emotional pain and the pathways to healing.