Mental Health Awareness Week 2017

This week is Mental Health Awareness Week (May 8th- 14th) which is supported by the “The Mental Health Foundation”. The theme for this year is ‘surviving to thriving’ which I think is such a good theme because some of us are just surviving when in reality we should thrive!

Mental health is something quite close to me as I have had family members who have battled with it and I myself do suffer with it. Mental health is a conversation some people shy away from as they don’t know how to handle it and get intimidated by the word. Mental health is a variety of things ranging from depression to anxiety and lots more.

I suffer from depression and anxiety, and you know that’s hard to say, I get scared telling people I do because everyone has their own ideas of what someone with depression/anxiety or any other mental health problems look like. I don’t have it as bad as some people; I don’t harm myself in any way and I think that’s what people associate when you mention it. It doesn’t mean I don’t suffer and I think that’s an important thing to say as a lot of people will just dismiss you and think you’re over-exaggerating or attention seeking! For people who don’t harm themselves it is very hard to get help; now I’m not dismissing the people who do harm themselves as that is incredibly serious however I feel as a person who does suffer from depression and anxiety but doesn’t harm there is not a lot for us.

I have been to the doctor’s lots of times telling them how I feel; tired all the time, drained, a constant sadness, don’t want to get out of bed, no motivation. Do you want to harm yourself in any way? Do you get suicidal thoughts? These are the first questions they ask you and my answer is always “NO” and that’s when you see a shift in their mood it’s like people think that’s the only thing and it upsets and frustrates me because what about the people who don’t harm themselves but do suffer a lot?! Doctors won’t give you any tablets because they are for people who harm themselves and say that they can give you suicidal thoughts.. so what’s the point in having them if they do that?! All the doctors do is tell you about how you can do little things to help self-medicate; like going out, trying to think more positively, do things that make you happy but don’t you think we do those things because personally, I have tried everything to try to get rid of my mental illnesses. It’s not something you want so all those little suggestions to me are a bit insulting like we don’t try to kill the pain that’s inside of us.

Another suggestion is counselling which may work for some people but for me didn’t work at all. I went for 6 months and saw a very nice lady but again she deals with people who have more serious problems so didn’t really know how to handle me. So now I’m just surviving with my mental illness trying my best to cope with it myself. These are a few things I have found helpful when I do have a really bad mental health day…

1. Take a mental health day; this is taking a day off from work/college because your mental health is bad. I 100% recommend this as you deserve it; you have got to look after yourself.
2. If you wake up feeling you can’t go to work/college but feel guilty; change your bed sheets, have a shower/bath, put some fresh PJs on and get back into bed. That little routine will feel like you have done something and getting into bed with fresh sheets will instantly make you happier.
3. Have a place in your house where you feel comfortable and stress-free. For me it’s my bedroom, I have decorated it to make me feel happy and relaxed. To make a room feel nice and stress-free it doesn’t have to be complicated it can just be a few fairy lights and a scented candle; whatever your personal taste is.
4. Snacks- Make yourself a few food comforts. They can be as healthy or unhealthy as you like, it is your day remember! I personally like to make myself a green tea by Tigpigs and have some tasty chocolate by Goodio.
5. Put on your favourite TV series or film and take some time for yourself. My favourite TV series at the minute is ‘Dear white people’ on Netflix. If you prefer to read to relax, a good easy reading, an inspiring book I have been loving is ‘Love, Style Life’ by Garance Dore.

These 5 things have really helped me when I’m feeling low; I hope they help you too! Mental health needs to be addressed more and people need to realise that depression and anxiety are different for everyone and no one experiences it the same. If you went to the doctors about a broken foot they wouldn’t just say walk on it so what’s the difference between someone with a mental illness; just because you can’t see the scares doesn’t mean they aren’t there.

We all need to understand mental health a lot because just saying to someone “cheer up” or “we are all sad sometimes” is very insensitive. If you know someone with a mental health illness talk to them and ask what you can do to help, don’t judge or assume. Just support because some people are surviving, help them thrive!

I hope this has helped some of you or even made you a little more aware of mental illnesses and different types. I hope everyone has had a lovely week. Look after yourself and stay strong! Lots of love…

Alice xo