World Mental Health Day

I wasn’t going to write anything in relation to World Mental Health Day, but then I realised that would go against what I’ve worked towards over the last few years.

It’s quite commonly known that I have suffered a lot with my mental health over the last few years. I’ve had endless hours of counselling, tried being on medication and self management. I’ve battled with doctors to get the help I need when I needed it. But sometimes you don’t know you need help until you can’t see a way out.

There is so much more awareness around mental health and it is always improving. But there is still work that needs to be done. A mental illness is the same as a physical illness and at times can even have physical symptoms too.

I have seen the darkest side of depression and have got to the point with my anxiety where I couldn’t leave the house. At the lowest I contemplated taking my own life on more than one occasion, the only thing that stopped me on one occasion was my Mum texting me asking if I was okay. Something as simple as someone reaching out without knowing anything was wrong potentially saved my life that day.

So if you haven’t spoken to someone in a while or think there is something wrong please reach out to them. You never know who you might help.

I have a tattoo to remind myself that no matter what is happening life can and does go on.

The stigma around mental health is still there, but if we talk more openly about it that will get better over time. We need to ensure the support and access to treatment for mental health is improved so that more people feel as though they have somewhere to turn if they need it without being dismissed or judged.

It’s okay to not be okay.