Mental Health- Let’s Talk

Mental health is not really something I have spoken about on my blog. However, mental health and wellbeing is a topic that needs to be discussed. There is no better time than the present.Mental health illness is something that is becoming more common. I don’t know why. Is it the pressures of society? Does social media play a big part in it? Personally, I think they are both part of it. Or is it that people have always suffered with these things, but because of the stigma they have been afraid to say?

Be Kind

There are so many mental health illnesses, too many to list. Nevertheless, thinking of some of the very common ones like anxiety and depression, so many people suffer with them. I fear that with events/periods like the Coronavirus pandemic and lockdown, it will only get worse. With long periods of isolation, a lack of human contact, loneliness, fear for the health of loved ones, jobs and money- it is a lot to deal with.So many things can cause mental health issues, from fighting at war and getting PTSD, to life changing accidents or disability, to the death of a loved one, to experiences of the Coronavirus pandemic. Others don’t seem to have a particular trauma, but through no fault of their own suffer with anxiety or low mood.I personally don’t think the initial stages of grief are a mental health illness or depression, but a normal reaction to a deeply upsetting and emotional situation.

Not everyone who is disabled is depressed.

The number of times I have been made to feel like it is wrong that I am not depressed. Sometimes, I have felt that I almost need to say: ‘I am’, even though I am not. Yes, being disabled and chronically ill is hard, don’t get me wrong, however I’m a positive person; I try to be realistic but hopeful. I am not saying that I have never been depressed because I have, but at the moment I am in quite a good place. I have an occasional down day, but I think we all do.

My experience

When I was a teenager and an inpatient in hospital for four years and a year and a half in a neuro centre/ care home I struggled a  lot. I had times when I was very depressed and even felt suicidal.2011 was a particularly hard year, my only and dear brother died suddenly. If this wasn’t enough, my Mum had major surgery, I suffered a spiral fracture of my neck of femur/ femur where it broke into several pieces, also had major surgery and was then told that I was never going to walk again. All within about four months.I am not sure how we all got through that year. Mind you in some ways it is a silly comment. You have to. You don’t have a choice; only to exist and try and plod on or not, and end it yourself.

When you are in a bad place

Sometimes you just want some help and other times you just want an end to a period you can no longer bear. It is strange. I think it is difficult to understand unless you have experienced it.When people say they had no idea a loved one had mental health problems. I used to think surely there must have been some clue? However, now I think some people are so good at hiding it, painting a smile on the outside of their face, that loved ones and friends don’t know what is going on underneath.

You are not the only one

Someone recently said to me: “If you scratch deep enough beneath the surface of everyone you will find unhappiness.” I think this is very true. We always assume everyone has this perfect life, but they don’t.People are so judgemental. They don’t really know what others are having to cope with. But think they do. Why are we so quick to judge?It is time to talk, drop the judgement and be kind to yourself and kind to others. Life is full of so many challenges and we should support each other through.

Hannah x

For support check out Mind