Mental health is a very serious illness, whether it is depression, anxiety, panic attacks, bi polar or any other mental health issues. It is a debilitating condition, it creeps in to every thought, and it is no less serious than any other disease.
With my job role I am very aware of the lack of support for people with mental health conditions, mental health conditions can be triggered by so many different things, from big to small, it can effect anyone and it doesn't discriminate. I have calls from people of all ages ringing with crippling mental health conditions where they aren't always getting the support they need from the NHS and they feel like the only escape is ending their life. Let me tell you now, that isn't the solution and it's a very final decision.
From someone who throughout my short years have suffered with chronic depression, anxiety and panic attacks, there is a way out, it's managing your condition and learning to live with it, it's something which is always with you, but you learn to live with it.
In December 2014 I lost my Grandmother after a very brave fight with cancer, she was diagnosed with terminal cancer in March 2014, I was unbelievably close with her, she was like another Mother to me. I got the phone call while I was at work from my Dad to tell me she had passed away in hospital after contracting pneumonia. It felt like a house just fell on me, I collapsed hysterically, shaking like mad, all of those horrible thoughts about my own life came flooding back to me, I wanted to be with her, hold her hand, make sure she she's happy.
My Grandmother was very aware of my mental health issues, I feel like she blamed herself at times, due to her illness being part of the trigger of my pre-existing mental health condition. She always told me how life is precious, you only have one, embrace every second you have.
I can tell every one of you, mental health is crippling, as I was saying earlier on, it creeps in to every thought you have, if life is going brilliantly, someone or something in the back of your mind says to you everything is going to go tits up any second. What if I lost my job, how would I pay my bills, that would effect my credit rating, how would I get a mortgage? My Boyfriend would leave me because I can't get a mortgage with him (he wouldn't, but that's how your anxiety brain works, jumping to worst case scenario in seconds).
I find it a real struggle to talk about my anxiety and other mental health issues to people, sometimes I feel like if you haven't experienced it, it's a really bizarre thing to try and get your head around. People have a real lack of understanding about mental health issues, "what's wrong with you?" "pull yourself together", "get over it", comments like this and the lack of understanding can be the trigger for someone with chronic mental health issues to make a more sinister decision.
If you know someone who has been suffering with mental health issues, you don't have to understand what they are going through, or how they feel, just be there for them, something as simple as this;
I can completely appreciate, it can be draining to support people with mental health issues, the purpose of this blog post was to make people more aware of the stigma surrounding mental health and how best to support yourself or someone you know suffering with the condition.
Now, support for mental health condition, as I said previously, I understand there is a significant lack of help within the NHS, but that is something which is slowly but surely changing.
There are so many brilliant charities these days to help people like us;
There are also lots of information on www.nhs.uk for local mental health services and support in your area.
Now there are also many different ways to help cope with your condition, Counselling is a fantastic one, just talking to someone, getting all that crap off your chest, makes you feel like a weight has been lifted. Support Groups, being in a room full of like minded people who understand completely where you are coming from, why you are feeling the way you are can be very beneficial. Speaking to your GP, now I know most people have the attitude, "my GP has better things to deal with, there are other people who are worse off than me that need more urgent help", NO let me nip that myth in the bud, THAT is what your GP is there for, it's there job, mental health is still an illness, you are just as important as anyone else who is sick and you need help just as much. Medication may be an option, it's not for everyone, but sometimes, if you really are feeling really low, it's something that with temporary use, may just help you get back on your way and where you need to be. Once again, that is something you can discuss with your doctor, if you don't contact them, how are they meant to know you are not in a good way.
REACH OUT, you are not alone, there are always people you can talk to, if it's in the middle of the night and you have thoughts racing through your head, ring your local mental health helpline, they are trained professionals who are there to have a chat and help you sort through your thoughts. Even 111, it's a free 24/7 service, or your local equivalent, either way, get it off your chest. Don't keep it cooped up, that's how things get worse before they can get better.
Anyway, I do hope I have been of some help/hope/support to you guys, please remember, you are never alone, even if you want to drop me a line just to chat, fling me an email in the contact tab.
Look after yourselves and remember it's time for a change, LET'S END MENTAL HEALTH STIGMA.
All my love,
Bex
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