I had to take time off from school due to mental health/substance abuse issues. I felt awful about it-everyone in my family was a medical professional or a lawyer, and I couldn't even handle undergrad?

Well, that break was EVERYTHING. Getting help and getting back on an even keel let me return to school. I went from academic probation to Dean's List. I got into a great research program for my master's degree. I was insecure about how that break looked, but it turned out it was the best thing I could have done. Instead of white knuckling through school and surviving with a C- average, I got my health under control and excelled.

You will get through this!!