Mental health rant

Ok, so this is a first for me. I’m not a writer (I totally suck), neither have I ever ‘blogged’ before, is there even a right way to blog? If there is I am probably about to fail big time! Either way I thought I’d give something new ago, new year and all that BS, so to whom ever is reading this bare with.

It’s beyond hard to think positive and be genuinely happy when you feel like absolute sh*t inside and would rather be cuddled up in bed hiding away from the world. But outcomes the brave face just to satisfy everyone around you (family, friends, co-workers, tutors, ect) It’s almost impossible to function the majority of the time, but somewhere within those shaded thoughts and grim feelings I sometimes manage to find some motivation to get up and out of bed to do things. But when I don’t, I get mistaken for being ‘lazy’

LAZY?! If there’s anything I hate more than marmite biscuits is people that accuse those with depression of being lazy, or those who accuse anyone with a mental health disorder of being something they are not. For example accusing those with anxiety of being childish because they don’t want to go into the shops on their own, or because they don’t want to speak to someone on the phone. Telling those with borderline personality to start controlling their emotions, to get a grip of themselves, telling them to stop overreacting to certain occurrences and to stop behaving the way they are behaving. Telling those with ADHD to calm down, stop fidgeting or to pay attention. I’m sorry but we don’t go around and telling those in wheel chairs to stand up and start walking? We don’t tell those with physical illnesses to ‘get over it’ and carry on with their lives as normal, so why is it so bloody different for those who suffer with mental health disorders. Just because you cannot see them does not mean that those who have disorders aren’t suffering, arghhhh it grinds my fking gears!

And oh god do not get me started about the stigma around mental health. These days 99% of people either know someone within their friendship group or family suffering from a mental health disorder or are suffering from one themselves. 1 in 4 people, yes 1 in 4 suffer from a mental health disorder these days, but way too many of these people are being made to feel worthless. The way a person acts towards a person with a mental health illness really does have a massive impact on that person. Why are those with illnesses made to feel like that cannot talk about their mental health? Talking about it is key to recovery, making people feel like they cannot talk about their mental health can cause some serious problems and worsen their mental health. Being unwell from a mental health disorder is so common these days, its everywhere but yet still so stigmatised, people still make those who suffer feel shame, stress and disgust. It isn’t right, it really isn’t.

Why are people still doing it? Do they seriously not realise what it does to people? For me speaking about mental health is a no go in this house and it always has been, to be quite honest speaking about anything emotional is pretty much a no go. My dad was in the army and ever since he left I think it screwed him up a little bit not that he’d ever admit to that. I was brought up to be a ‘tough cookie’ never was allowed to show much emotion as it was deemed as being weak and being weak wasn’t allowed in this house. I suppose being brought up in that way took its toll and now I don’t speak about anything, even if I wanted to speak about my mental health I feel too ashamed to anyway all cheers to the stigma around having mental health illnesses. It is complete an utter B*LLSHIT.

But… There are ways to challenge the stigma, it needs to end!!

Firstly, educated yourself, then educate others. Learn the facts before believing the myths about mental health then share these facts, help educate the ignorant and judgemental ones out there! Take any opportunity you can to help educate others, Blog it, Facebook it, Tweet it, ANYTHING. Get to know those with personal experiences of mental health disorders, don’t flip them off because of the things you’ve heard about people with mental health disorders, a mental health illness does not define a person!

SPEAK UP!!! Speak up when the media display false facts. Speak up in protest when friends and family stereotype!! If you are one that has suffered from mental health illness(s) speak openly, don’t be ashamed or afraid. Embrace who you are, shout it loud and clear. The more hidden mental health disorders remain the more people are going to believe that it’s not ok to discuss mental health illnesses and that it is shameful. WHICH IT IS NOT, THAT IS TOTAL SHIT!! Everyone should be able to speak openly, it’s a VITAL step to recovery. END THE STIGMA!!

For those who are struggling with their mental health or find themselves in crisis here are a few numbers and websites you can use to access help or advice, if you feel you are in immediate danger go to your local A&E department, or contact your local crisis resolution team.

http://www.mind.org.uk/ 

http://www.samaritans.org/ 

http://www.sane.org.uk/

Samaritan number – 116 123 (UK) – available 24/7

PAPYRUS (0800 068 41 41)

SANEline – 0300 304 7000 – 4.30pm – 10.30pm