Behind the Shield of a Strong Façade

Christine went to the kitchen to get a sleeping tablet. She swallowed the whole bottle. Why? Christine had been strong all her life. She had dealt with mental health issues that included caregiving, raised a son with multiple disabilities, and recovered from severe antidepressant withdrawal. She had always hidden behind a façade of being strong, her shield that kept her safe and protected her from terrifying feelings. The Covid lockdowns coincided with a prolonged period of caregiving stress and