Owing to the chaos and exhaustion caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, I have mentally felt less-than-optimal over the last few months. I was intrigued by the July Reflections article, "Acceptance Was the Key," in which Andy Marmion discussed suffering from depression as a nurse-and how a fellow nurse, Anne, helped him cope. Depression is real, and being a nurse does not eradicate those feelings of being lost and numb. I would like to commend the author for braving the stigma and sharing his story. I can relate, as I have dealt with depression since my early childhood years.

During such a catastrophic and stressful time for nurses, I believe that many of us would benefit from having a colleague like Anne to reach out and offer some simple words of encouragement. I thank the author for reminding us that we must remember to take care of ourselves and each other.

Casondra Eidam, BSN, RN

Amarillo, TX