To Dr. Fox,
I write this to you around one year since my first therapy session with you. I came to Chapman Psychological Services as a scared and lonely freshman who was 3,000 miles away from home for the first time in his life. I can vividly remember walking to class feeling anxious just by passing by people, thinking they were all judging. That’s how it was in the beginning; judging myself and thinking the whole world was too. That’s how the depression and anxiety started. Now, I walk around eager. Eager to run into someone I know or maybe eager to see someone with a Red Sox shirt on. I walk around now with confidence with eyes always looking to engage.
It’s crazy to see how much has changed in 365 days, but one thing stays constant and it’s my insurmountable gratitude that you came into my life.
I’m here at Chapman for my sophomore year and I constantly look back at that person I was one year ago at this time and it’s someone I don’t recognize. This type of transformation wasn’t possible with your understanding, your humor, your ability to listen and also making yourself heard. In a world where I felt everyone including myself was judging me, you didn’t and it made me realize the world is not out to judge me. To be able to go to you when things got rough and I needed to get it all off my chest or when things were great and I needed someone that could understand how important the good times are, is a luxury I can’t believe I have. The sessions we had from September all the way to May saved me from myself and my internal monologue and my self doubt and my anxieties of college life.
What I learned from you that I applied to my life makes me wish can happen with everyone. I wish everyone could see the amazing benefits of a therapist, whether it’s the best time of their life or at their lowest point. I also wish people would own up to their mental health the way I did. I started last year thinking all was fine. It’s much easier to deny anything is wrong with us than to admit it to ourselves, but the first step to getting help is admitting there is a problem. I wish more people in the situation I was in last year weren’t so scared to address their mental health or see a therapist. I wish everyone in this country wouldn’t see therapy as a bad thing, as something exclusively for just crazy and disturbed. We need to get rid of that stigma in this country. 1 in 5 college students have depression or anxiety because of sleep or technology or social media or just plain insecurities and I can promise that 20% of college students in American are not seeking therapy.
You were a helping hand and I want everyone to experience that too in some way, shape, or from.
I know there have people out there in the same conundrum of depression I was last year who won’t admit to it or won’t try to seek help. It’s easier to go things alone, but you prove how beautiful it can be to open up to people. I used to keep things in: my emotions, my fears, my morals, but having that first person who hears you and understands makes so much easier to open up to others and be more vocal about mental health.
You’ve not only taught how to love myself, but you’ve taught me a mindset. A mindset i pray every person in this country can get behind as well.
Sincerely,
Brendan Weissman
Dirty Water 
Your topic, situation, exigence, purpose, appeals, and target audience are all clear. I think your tone is wonderful in this – I used this word before, but it really is heartfelt, making your letter a joy to read. Your exigence is also very effective, as you are able to speak from “the other side” of battling the stigma of seeking help for depression.
You come across as a strong, kind, and happy individual, which really aids your writing’s effectiveness.
I loved the stat you included! I think you could back up more of what you said with concrete facts (like your claim about everyone in the country having a warped view of therapy. While I know you don’t literally mean that everyone thinks this, it might be helpful to point to a number and say, “Hey, x% of people have ____ misconception about therapy, and here’s how I’m going to set the record straight…”). Creatively speaking, I love the routes you travel along in your letter. I think you could try to play around with making some of this more narrative in nature, sharing more specific anecdotes if you’re comfortable, or providing some made-up inner dialogue when mentioning that you were fearful of people judging you.
Your call to action is evident – stop stigmatizing therapy for yourself and others, realize its benefits, and seek it if you need it.
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