Today is mental health awareness day, so i really wanted to make a new blog post.
1 in 6 adults experiences a common mental health problem, such as anxiety or depression and 1 in 5 adults has considered taking their own life at some point. (Statistics found at: www.mentalhealth.org.uk)
Mental health is often a topic that is not talked about for many different reasons, for example some people feel that they may be judged. So many people can experience a mental health problem through their lifetime for so many different reasons, my experience and my reason for the mental health issues i have or have had are due to years of bullying through childhood.
Mental health problems affect about 1 in 10 children and young people. (Statistics found at: www.mentalhealth.org.uk)
The risks that come with all mental health issues can be permanent decisions that someone makes while they are in a dark place, and unfortunately as i have experienced you really believe in those moments that this is something you really want to do, but believe me, this is never the answer.
Through my journey i have been in some very dark places, i have made decisions that will always stay with me, and some of those i regret so much, and if i could go and talk myself out of it i would.
Poor mental health can be a scary and lonely thing to go through, it feels like the World is on your shoulders and you just want a way out, believe me, i understand how it feels. It feels like no one understands, it is horrible all the things that can go through your head.
All of this, all of the pain, all of the emptiness, it can all go away, it just takes time, and it is so worth it. Don’t get me wrong, you can still have a bad day every now and then, maybe a memory just pops into your head and things flood back, but all of the happiness is worth it, you are worth it.
I recommend having people around you who will support you, take up a new hobby, maybe start a blog or write in a diary, find some profession help.
Please find below some helplines, and a very important quote.
www.anxietyuk.org.uk (Charity providing support if you’ve been diagnosed with an anxiety condition)
www.bipolaruk.org.uk (A charity helping people living with manic depression or bipolar disorder)
www.thecalmzone.net (CALM is the Campaign Against Living Miserably, for men aged 15 to 35)
www.depressionalliance.org (Charity for sufferers of depression. Has a network of self-help groups)
www.mind.org.uk (Promotes the views and needs of people with mental health problems)
www.papyrus-uk.org (Young suicide prevention society)
www.samaritans.org.uk (Confidential support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair)
One of the big charities i have to mention in this blog post who i have contact with through my twitter and have so much support for is Red Balloon Learner Centres, they support young people who are missing education because of bullying or other trauma. I understand how amazing they are and how this kind of support is needed so much, young people shouldn’t have to miss education due to bullying or trauma. Please take a look at this amazing charity: www.redballoonlearner.org
Please stay strong, please be honest and open about mental health, it is time to end the stigma.
You are strong, you are enough. ❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎
Thank you for reading,
Beth xx
(picture from: www.healthyplace.com)