I personally believe that we ALL have mental health issues. Covid-19 has made everything so much worse. Social isolation, fear, uncertainty… these all have a HUGE impact on our mental health. Add that on top of what we already deal with and it may be too much.
We’re human so we all have issues, whether they be financial: you an earn huge amounts of money but not have a positive relationship with money, so that creates financial issues. We all at some point suffer from physical health issues, emotional health issues, spiritual issues, and mental health issues. Maternal Mental Health and how women can feel a little unbalanced after having a baby is an issue a lot of women can relate to. So many teenagers push their feelings down for fear of rejection and criticism, etc and over time this has an effect on their mental health.
How many times have you been told a statement or have been criticised and you thought you could handle it? So you let it go? Hear that statement too many times, push it down too many times and it starts to mess with your mental health.
In our relationships with our partners, if one has had more experience than the other, in order to keep up you need to get into gear but what if you’re not ready? What if you don’t like where you partner wants you go to? What if you don’t like what you partner wants you to do? Or how your partner wants you to be? Do you suffer in silence to save face and end up damaging your emotional and mental health? Or do you put yourself first and be free, free to be who you really are?
And then there are those who have suffered childhood abuse, whether it be sexual, physical, mental or emotional.
There are so so many areas and unturned stones that we have in our lives, and if those stones are never turned to reveal issues that need to be dealt with, it affects our mental health, and we then take those issues into our work, our friendships, our relationships and we also end up passing those issues on to our children if we have them.
Mental Health is important for EVERYONE!
We’ve all got a mental boundary that we don’t want to cross or even go near, we’ve all got that mental or emotional switch that can cause an explosion if someone flicks it, and we’ve all got a ‘trigger’ that brings out a side of us that we spend a lot time pushing down.
Regardless of your age it’s ok to admit you’re not feeling 100%, it’s ok to admit that looking at other people’s Facebook and Instagram pages makes you feel ‘less than’, it’s ok to admit that all isn’t rosy at home and smiling through the pain is becoming difficult.
Whatever you do, please ask for help when you need it, we all need a helping hand sometimes. It is nothing to feel ashamed about, so, start the conversation and know that it IS good to talk.
If you are leading a normal ‘everyday life’ there isn’t the opportunity to remove yourself like a celebrity and heal in private. You still have to keep going, the daily chores, work, the school run, raising children, connecting with your partner, and so on. You can’t do this alone, so seek help as soon as the warning signs start to raise their head.
SupportLine Telephone Helpline: 01708 765200 (Helpline)
email [email protected]
Confidential emotional support to Children Young People and Adults. Also keeps details of agencies, support groups and counsellors throughout UK.
Samaritans.org
We offer a safe place for you to talk any time you like, in your own way – about whatever’s getting to you. You don’t have to be suicidal.
SANE is a leading UK mental health charity.
We work to improve quality of life for anyone affected by mental illness.0300 304 70004.30pm – 10.30pm daily
THE ASSOCIATION FOR POSTNATAL ILLNESS
The Association provides a telephone helpline. information leaflets for sufferers and healthcare professionals as well as a network of volunteers, (telephone and postal), who have themselves experienced postnatal illness.
Helpline: 020 7386 0868, Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 10:00am-2:00pm and Tuesday and Thursday, 10:00am-5:00pm
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.apni.org
BIPOLAR UK (Previously called MDF – The Bipolar Organisation.)
A user-led charity that works to enable people affected by bipolar disorder (manic depression) to take control of their lives. Provides information, and a wide range of support services for members. Also helps people by supporting self-management, and with a national helpline and local self help groups throughout the UK.
Helpline: 0845 634 0540, Monday-Friday, 10:00am-4:00pm
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.mdf.org.uk
DEPRESSION ALLIANCE
Supports people with experience of depression through a pen-friend scheme, membership and newsletter. Provides information and publications and campaigns to raise awareness of depression. Also operates a network of local self help groups throughout the UK, with support for new groups and information about existing groups. Click here…
Telephone: 0845 123 23 20 (to request an information pack only)
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.depressionalliance.org
MEET A MUM
An online forum offering support and friendship to all mothers and mothers-to-be, especially those feeling lonely or isolated after the birth of a baby or moving to a new area.
Website: http://meetamumuk.forumotion.co.uk
SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER ASSOCIATION (SADA)
Information and membership packs for people effected by Seasonal Affective Disorder (also generally known as winter depression).
Website: www.sada.org.uk
Keeping those feelings in won’t help, so check in with yourself and don’t be afraid to reach out for help. Join the discussion on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
