Greetings all, my name is Katherine, but some of you may know me better as Katie Waffles. I am a streamer on Twitch, a game enthusiast, and someone who has spent their entire life battling severe depression. Because of my depression I've lost friends, been hospitalized, and even attempted suicide. I know firsthand how debilitating and destructive depression can be.

I started streaming on Twitch with a three part mission in mind. The first part was using Twitch as a platform to raise awareness of depression and how destructive it can be. The second was using Twitch to raise money for charities whose purpose it is to provide support to those who suffer from depression and other mental illnesses.

Unfortunately, a couple months after getting my show off the ground, I suffered from a spike in my depression that lasted quite a while. Getting back on my feet was hard work, but I managed to do it because of the support from my viewers, family, and friends.

However, the spike in my depression and the subsequent recovery really highlighted the importance of having a support network in place. The third part of my mission was to create a safe place that can be like a support network for those who don't have one in their lives. Sometimes all it takes is someone willing to listen to save someone's life.