Understanding Your Mental health

“Sadly, too often, the stigma around mental health prevents people who need help from seeking it. But that simply doesn’t make any sense. Whether an illness affects your heart, your arm or your brain, it’s still an illness, and there shouldn’t be any distinction…we should make it clear that getting help isn’t a sign of weakness — it’s a sign of strength — and we should ensure that people can get the treatment they need.”- Michelle Obama

A subject matter that over the past 10 years has become a highlighted problem amongst the majority of us, as in some way or form we all have problems with our mental health and understanding it. We are scared to show weakness in a society that demands so much from us, we live in a world where we should only talk about the highlights and the best bits, we see celebrities talking about mental health as stated in the quote above however it is the everyday person that is neglecting the conversation and isolating themselves and their issues within.

Depression is something I never knew a young active person like myself could experience, it comes in all shapes, forms and moments and its not until you hit rock bottom do you really understand that you have a problem and you need to seek advice or help. My moment came when I found myself on my own in my room lights out sitting on the floor completely exhausted and drained with about half a bottle of Jonnie Walker inside of me, I still to this day did not know why I sat drinking, I just felt the need to. The whole night I sat in complete darkness and just let go of all my emotions, I know men don't like to talk about this stuff but I can openly say I sat crying not by choice just be sheer exhaustion and sort of mentally drained and giving up. I was in a dark place it seemed that no matter what I did things just weren't changing and something kept coming along and put a spanner in the works. It was after this night that I realised that something deep down was eating away at me and I had this overwhelming need to take control of the situation as I don't like not being in control of my emotions and get angry at myself for letting it get that far. I spoke to one of my closest friends who I knew would keep it to themselves and just having that release and vent I felt 100 times better, getting advice of someone who has been there and like myself didn't realise they would ever find themselves that low and having things go through your head that would only cause pain to others. There were times when I would be driving to work and I'd break down as I wasn't happy with where I was, who I am and struggling juggling so many things at once. This is why I decided to change my routine, get away from that circle of depression and take time to home in on one thing rather than 10 things at once. Since taking control of this and understanding my emotions I am less snappy with people who are close to me, I greater understand my reactions to situations and my work ethic has increased and output also as I now only have a small list of things to do daily rather than bombarding myself and putting the pressure up to the point where I can't handle it anymore.

For anyone suffering in silence do not be embarrassed or bottle it all up because there will come a time where it will explode and come out in a way you will regret. People have time to listen even if its a stranger, no one should suffer in silence.

Tierneys Top Tip- We all have a story and we all have our problems and not everyone is too busy for a chat, take your time and open up, it'll be the best thing you do.

Thanks

T.