i want to use my blog as a space to share things that truely matter to me - as well as things I enjoy. This week is mental health awarness week. I received a lovely response from my eating disorder awarness week post - and seeming as it is mental health awarness week I felt I would like to make a similar post, helping to end the stigma once and for all. ♡ I could bore you with all the same statiscs you've heard before - "1 in 4 people suffer with a mental health problem at any given time" etc etc. But that doesn't help. Yes we can statistically visualise how many people might be suffering but it does not help us understand what it is like to live with a mental illness and how we can help those who are suffers. living with a mEntal illness.there are many forms of mental illness. Depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, eating disorders , PTSD , BPD , bipolar disorder - the list goes on. Sometimes people may have more than one disorder known as co-morbidity. But one thing that each illness has in common is: it's invisible. Their may be physical symptoms but in a word mental ilness is invisible. Living with an "invisible" illness is extremely difficult. From being accused of 'making it up' , 'looking for attention' , 'being dramatic' these are just a few of the comments suffers endure. Just beacause you can't see a mental Illness like you can see a broken leg - doesn't mean it's any less painful. Infact it's often worse than a physical ilness as there's no magic cure and often no obvious trigger. Waking up one day and deciding you're going to be depressed / anxious / hallucinate etc isn't how it works. But equally I can understand that unless you have been through an illness yourself it's difficult to get your head around. ♡ just by being considerate of how you adress someone struggling with their mental health actually makes the world of difference. ♡ ways to help.talk & try to understand.as a nation I think we are improving - and opening up more about mental health. But it is still a major problem and 3/4 of people don't get the help they need. Offering your time to spend with someone and allow them to say how they are feeling is often appreciated by suffers. Knowing they have someone to release all their inner thoughts too is a relief from the seemingly endless torment. It is sometimes hard to know what to say - and nobody is expected to make it all better but just being there is enough. Trying to sympathise and understand what someone is going through will help to end the stigma ♡ By trying to understand what someone is experiencing it also means not basing their recovery on anyone else's. Phrases like " you've been ill for too long" "this needs to stop" "stop feeling that way" don't help and can make the sufferer feel very guilty and infuriated as it's not something they have control over. I will link some websites at the end of this post that provide an insight into helpful things to do and say. ♡ Stay posItive!negitivity breeds negativity. It's not realistic to be positive all the time but trying to always be cheerful around people you know are struggling, in turn will make their day brighter and eliminate potential negative thoughts. Sometimes giving them a compliment , inviting them on a walk , just involving them in something will help take their mind off things and make them feel hopefully a little better. self help tips.its okay not to be okay. If you are suffering with a mental illness here are some small things to make each day manageable. ♡ open up.allowing yourself to admit that you are struggling is the first step to recovery. Wether it's a friend , family member , teacher , colleague , therapist - whoever - just allow yourself to be honest and share how you are truely feeling. Bottling things up only means eventually you will pop and thing will just have deteriorated. Assuming people won't understand or care is not true ♡ allow yourself to be open and see what happens. self care.remeber to take care of yourself and do things you enjoy. Keeping on top of personal care such as showering , getting dressed everyday etc will help and stop you going deeper into a downwards spiral. Create a box with helpful things you enjoy - or things that hold happy memories - too look at when things are tough. Make sure you stay active and maintain interest in things you enjoy ☆ creating a weekly schedule may be a good way too make sure this happens. seek professinal help.if things aren't improving please seek professional help. This would usually start with a trip to the GP who can then decide wether to refer you to a specialist. Therapy isn't for everyone - like wise neither is medication. Everyone will have their own combination of treatments that helps. There's many different types of therapy - CBT , art therapy , music therapy , family therapy , group therapy - the list goes on. Professionals will be able to work out what is best for you and will prescribe medication if they think you need it. Don't feel ashamed if you need extra help - you wouldn't deny treatment for a broken bone so you shouldn't deny it for your mental health either. dont give up.this goes for everyone - never give up. Healing isn't linear. Recovery takes time - sometimes years but knowing that things will be okay and that bad things don't last forever is key. By trying to stay positive and engaging in helpful activities will make things more manageable until they no longer dominate your life. ♡ Helpful linkS.https://www.mind.org.uk/ https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/campaigns/mental-health-awareness-week http://www.nhs.uk/livewell/mentalhealth/Pages/Mentalhealthhome.aspx https://thesadghostclub.com/ https://www.rethink.org/carers-family-friends/what-you-need-to-know/supporting-someone-with-a-mental-illness http://thelatestkate.tumblr.com/ if anyone wants any advice or has any questions please don't hesitate to contact me ♡ I hope you took something from this blog post.
Zoë x
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