It is Mental Health Awareness Week. Mental health issues affect lots of us during our lives, so there is no need to feel alone or weak. Whilst others are obviously important, it is also essential to look after yourself and seek help if you are struggling. It is ok to talk about not being ok. Professionals and your true friends will not judge you. When you are fit and healthy, you not only allow yourself to be the best that you can be, but you enrich the lives of all those around you.
Mental health is a subject that I feel particularly strongly about. I have suffered at times myself, but I now have the strength to post my thoughts in this blog post. I did not get to this point on my own though, I had help. I had the help of a professional and also of a supportive partner who convinced me to seek help.
It is very easy to become bogged down and consumed by self doubt. Before you know it, you can find it difficult to make decisions, as you start to dissect all of the potential outcomes and forever procrastinate. Years can go by and you can fail to make the necessary decisions to enhance your life and the lives of those closest to you. Don't wake up one morning (and to quote the Talking Heads) "ask yourself how did I get here?".
In this day and age when social media is so prominent, it is even more likely that people will feel unhappy or dis-satisfied with their life. It's easy for me to say this, but who cares what people on the internet think? Likes and gratification from social media platforms is not important. Communicate with those around you and share your intimate thoughts with those that you trust and care about. This is much more important and fulfilling than how many people that you don't know like your profile picture on Facebook. It is also worth remembering that the social media persona of many people, bares no resemblance to their real life, so don't let it affect you.
If you suspect someone may be suffering from mental health issues, offer to help them. This does not have to intrusive, you can suggest activities etc, it depends on the individual. As I mentioned earlier, I was helped in to speaking to a professional and sometimes people need a gentle shove in the right direction.
The image below (which I have taken from the internet!) shows some simple changes that can make all of the difference. Above all though, it is essential to talk, there is no need to suffer in silence. Be open, be healthy and above all, be happy.
