With today being World Mental Health Day, I wanted to raise awareness and speak about the importance of this. So in order to do so, i’ve decided i’m ready to share my own personal story with you.
There is a massive stigma around mental health which is why I think a lot of people don’t talk openly about it. But the more we speak about it, the more awareness we raise, we give a better understanding to others about mental health conditions and for anyone suffering, it helps to talk. Without thinking some people when they’re trying to be helpful can actually be quite insensitive and say things such as ‘well you don’t look depressed?’ As someone who has dark days, when you look at my picture do I look like someone who suffers with anxiety? Another one I’ve heard a lot through the years is the phrase ‘Just snap out of it.’ If only it was that easy for many of us…
For years I’ve suffered with anxiety, panic attacks and even depression. I don’t know why or what brought it on and it’s something that’s never gone away but do you know what helps me when i’m feeling lost and lonely? Talking. For a long time I always kept so much to myself, only ever speaking to my partner or my mum about how I felt and sometimes feeling like a burden for doing so. As a teenager going through this, I felt weird and felt like I was the only one, I stopped going out and lost friends because of this. Maybe if I’d have been more open they’d have been more understanding? As I’ve grown up and seen that people are starting to talk more openly about mental health, I felt less weird and less isolated, I realised just how many of us are actually affected by it and it’s a lot more than I thought.
I’ve been like this for so long that I don’t think I’ll ever be any different and sometimes when I think that, it scares me a little and then other times I just accept it. I just accept that maybe this is who I am and as long as i’ve got someone to talk to, i guess I’m okay with that.
Do you know someone who is suffering with mental health? Or someone you think might be suffering? Invite them round for a cup of tea. Have a chat, inbox them. You never know what someone else is going through so just be kind. Are you suffering with mental health? Reach out. I know that can be scary but find someone to speak to because I can promise you talking will help.
It’s okay not to be okay. It’s okay if you need medication to help you feel better.
It’s ok.
Life as The Lonsdales 