I can hear you sigh and say ‘Not Again’ or even thinking ‘Is this really a thing?’
I suppose what we need to be realising is that we all have Mental Health and whether it is in a good place or not it will always be there. We need to look after ourselves both physically and mentally. There is nothing wrong with admitting we can’t do something or are having a problem with someone.
BUT, that is the hard bit – admitting we can’t do something or we can’t do it at that time, everything has just got too much.
The signs aren’t always obvious, and no two people really will ever display the same signs or signals. Having come through this period of ‘Lockdown’ I have heard a number of tales of suicides and to be honest they have shocked me. They were the people that you thought had it all, and yet there was something hidden in the back of their minds that told them that they just couldn’t do this anymore.
Is there too much pressure on us? Probably. How can we get through these times? I would always say – keep talking, to anyone, even if it is a complete stranger.
What about the stigma? Is it still there after these weird and wonderful times? Yes it is, but having spoken to many people only amongst certain groups. My mother is of an age where, there is no such thing as mental health issues, you just got on with it. Yes, that is true but now we are seeing that that is more a case of covering over the issue and not facing it head on. With the way the world as it is and the speed that everything is running we are expected to be on top of everything NOW, nothing can wait. Is that really the case?
I’ve watched my kids over the past 6 months, a lot closer than usual, and with one with Aspergers and one with severe Dyslexia they have both reacted very differently to the situation and are coming out of it in very different ways. The one is getting help from a counsellor and the other I am just giving jobs to do, I couldn’t do this on my own and this was the hardest thing for me to admit or acknowledge, but I did it.
So what am I trying to actually say in this ramble of mine? I suppose I am saying –
Speak up if you need help and be ready to Listen if someone is coming to you for help. Age, colour place in society – nothing matters but your mental and physical health.
