Why Talking About Mental Health is So Important

Over the years, I've never like talking about my mental health until now. I never used to like talking to people about how I felt and why I felt the way I did. It wasn't until I had no other choice but to talk open and honestly about what was going on that I realised it really isn't as bad as it seems. The hardest part is taking the first step into reaching out for help. I can tell you now that throughout my whole experience, that was the most terrifying and nerve-racking thing I've ever had to do, simply just taking the first step. However, since that day, I've never looked back. I 100% understand the fear and anxiety of reaching out for help, it took me almost 9 years to fully come to terms with the severity of my mental health and be at a stage where I actually wanted and accepted that I needed professional help. Even just admitting that you have mental health issues is a huge step because so many people are in denial about it because of the stigma it still holds. Having mental health issues doesn't make you any less of a person, in fact, it actually makes you more of a human. It's normal and natural to feel emotions and feelings, some peoples are more intensified than others, but it doesn't mean that your worries are any less important than someone else's. The worst thing you could do is compare yourself to other people. I often used to sit and think to myself "how come they aren't feeling the way I'm feeling about this situation" "how can they just carry on like everything is okay, I'm really struggling and no one else seems to feel the same" I've come to learn that everyone deal with things differently. Some people show their emotions and some people just don't and that's that. The second you start to even slightly talk about your mental health, I promise you that you'll find some sort of relief in it. Even if its just in general conversation with a friend and you mention that you're struggling, just getting it off your chest is a massive accomplishment and I don't feel like that is talked about enough. There's so many things you should be proud of, first off being reading this blog. Even if you personally do not struggle with mental health, you may know somebody who does or somebody you think does and hasn't spoken about it yet and I can only hope that my blogs give you an insight of what it's like living with mental health issues. If you know somebody who you suspect has mental health issues, please never pressure them to talk about things, it's the worst thing you could do. Let them talk when they're ready to talk, just no matter what, always reassure them that they have got your support. If you have mental health problems, I understand that opening up to someone you love weather that be a member of your family, a friend or partner, it is scary but just know that if you keep bottling it up and not talking, things are only going to get worse and intensify over time. Imagine it being like a balloon, every breath of air being put into a balloon is another thing you're bottling up, there's only so much air that balloon can hold before it pops so why not let some air out so it doesn't pop? You don't have to talk about everything at once, maybe it could just be one problem that bothering you that particular day and rather than pushing it aside and letting it bottle up inside you, talk about it to someone. Tell them how it made you feel and what you didn't like about it, you've got nothing to loose my simply opening up. I know it is a lot easier said than done because I often felt like whenever my mental health was mentioned and getting help was suggested, it would be like a brick wall and I wouldn't want to hear anything I was being told. Now I realise its because I was in denial about it and I didn't fully accept the fact that I was mentally ill. Even just by sitting and thinking about where you're at mentally is so important. Taking time out of your day even for 5 minutes while you're doing the washing up or when you're in the bath, just to think about how you're really doing is so key. Acknowledging that your mental health is just as important as your physical health and how you're feeling and reacting to things are symptoms of your mental health, just like sneezing and coughing is a symptom of a cold. Every emotion you feel no matter how small or intense they feel is valid. You are important to so many people even if you do not feel like it. There are so many resources out there to help you, even more than you could imagine. If you don't like talking on the phone to someone, there is a free texting service called SHOUT. All you have to do is text the word 'SHOUT' to 85258 you will first get an automated text come through asking you what's on your mind and then you will be connected to a real person who is trained to be there to support you. It is all anonymous as well so you do not have to worry about anyone knowing that you've text them if you do not tell anyone yourself. They can advise you on things but they are not medically trained. I have used them multiple times over the last year and they are a great first point of call if you feel low and alone and need to get things off your chest. They are there to support you and listen. Of course, in a crisis you call always call the samaritans on 116123. All of these services are there for a reason, to support YOU. I am here to support YOU.