Jess K.

Photo provided by Jess K.

If you’re reading this, it’s okay to ask for help.

Hey Hey! 

If you're reading this, I want you to know: it's okay to ask for help.

As a first-generation college student and a Black woman, I was raised to be independent. That “grind” mentality was deeply rooted in me — success meant doing it all on my own. And, for a long time, I believed that asking for help was a sign of weakness. I thought it meant I wasn’t capable or that I wasn’t achieving enough. But that’s not true.

I’ve been extremely blessed to have a loving family and a village of friends who have shown me that asking for help is not a burden — it’s a beautiful act of vulnerability. It’s actually a strength. It’s a sign that you’re recognizing your limits, identifying your resources, and leaning on the people who genuinely want to support you.

Asking for help doesn’t mean you’re lazy. It doesn’t mean you’re failing. In fact, it’s the opposite. The real power lies in allowing yourself to receive help — and knowing that we’re all in this together. Giving and receiving help keeps us connected and reminds us of the importance of community. And that, my friends, is essential to our well-being.

So, if you’re anything like me — Type-A, people pleaser, FOMO enthusiast, over-scheduler of responsibilities, and feeling overwhelmed — please know that you are not alone. I get it. And trust me when I say: it’s okay to ask for help. There are so many people around you, ready and willing to support you. I know it can be hard to ask, but I’m confident that asking for help will bring you relief, peace, and a renewed sense of strength.

Take it from me—there is power in vulnerability, and in the end, asking for help makes us stronger.

Peace,

Jess K., Rice University

Senior Director of Staff Administration, Brown College Residential Associate

Connect With Us

This letter series features reflections by students, faculty, and associates at Rice University. Their bravery in sharing their personal stories about connection, struggles, growth, and mental health remind us that behind every face is a story, and that no one is alone in what they’re feeling. This series and space exists to share real experiences from our community, and foster deeper conversations around mental health on campus. If you’re reading this, we hope you feel seen, supported, and a little more hopeful.

Letter series coordinated by Katherine Sammy. To get invovled with IfYoureReadingThis at Rice University, email kss11@rice.edu.