Mental Health Awareness Month

Hi everybody! Planning, preparing, writing and publishing blog posts is proving difficult this month as I have exams in the coming weeks, so currently revision and preparing for them are my main priority. However, May is an important month for another reason. May is Mental Health Awareness month. Every year, this goes unnoticed by many, but in my opinion, it should get just as much recognition as awareness months for cancer and other illnesses.

Why is it okay for somebody with a mental disorder to not receive the same standard of care and support as somebody who is diabetic? Fair enough, they require different types of care and treatment, but there is no reason why it should be less accessible for one disease than it is another. It is vitally important that there is a push for the government to increase the budget for treatment of mental illnesses.

Many people automatically assume that a person is "crazy", "psycho" or just simply "overreacting". These are all terms used too loosely when it comes to mental illness. What a lot of people do not realise is that a person's condition does not define who they are, it's just a small part of them. Therefore, there is no reason why anybody else should judge them because of their conditions. A lot of people run in the opposite direction when mental illness rears its ugly head, and that's the sad part. It doesn't have to be that way.

In the UK, it is estimated that 1 in 4 people will experience some kind of mental health problem in the course of a year, yet why is mental illness still such a taboo topic?

I can tell you why. People are uneducated. In this day and age, people should be learning about mental illness just like they would learn about other diseases. Teachers in schools should be thoroughly taught about the subject of mental health. Managers in workplaces should be provided with information of the importance of mental wellbeing. Pupils and parents in every school should be exposed to lessons covering the crucial facts of conditions such as schizophrenia, depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder. Until this happens, there will be a constant stigma attached to mental illness and those affected by it. 

So, this month, I'm making it my mission to increase the awareness of mental illness, and I'm asking all of you reading to make it yours too! A world where people can relate, empathise and understand is a happier one. Raising awareness and banishing the stigma surrounding mental health conditions can only be achieved by learning and teaching the facts. Take time to educate yourself. Knowledge is power!

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Valuable Lessons

Hey, what's up! I'm finally back with a blog post that isn't a Mini Happies one. As much as I enjoyed writing them, it feels good to be writing something a bit different today. This week, something happened to me that really made me think. Last Tuesday I was feeling really anxious, and rather than taking ten minutes when I needed it during my first period class, I stayed there until I had totally worked myself up, and I ended having one of the worst panic attacks I'd had in a while.

As horrible as it sounds, I did learn a few important things that day. 

It's totally good to challenge yourself and try not to escape every situation when you start feeling a little anxious, but everybody knows their limits. If you know deep down that the only way to calm yourself down is to get out of the situation and take a timeout, then that's what you gotta do. It's not the end of the world. You're not a bad person. You aren't weak. You're the opposite, you're strong because you are taking control of the situation despite the feelings that you know will follow. It's okay to know your boundaries.

Don't let anyone tell you who or what you are. While I was in the midst of my panic attack, I bumped into one of the year heads at my school. When I feel anxious I start feeling incredibly claustrophobic, and so I usually end up taking my tie off and unbuttoning my collar. Every other teacher I know is okay with this, along as I sort my uniform out when I'm feeling calmer. However, on this day, this teacher stopped me and demanded that I put my tie on. I was trying to explain, but they just wouldn't listen, and when I tried explaining that I suffer from anxiety and I'm prone to these panic attacks, I was told that I was "being silly", "overreacting", "making a big deal out of nothing" and  that I "should just pull myself together and get back to class". I was absolutely furious. This wasn't the first time either and when I feel anxious, those are exactly the thoughts that go through my head. This teacher was just adding fuel to the fire. After I'd gotten over the anger and upset, I came to the realisation that I shouldn't worry about what the minority of people think. I am surrounded by so many more people who know what I have to deal with, and they accept me for it. Don't let the critical few get you down, no matter how much their words hurt. 

When I finally realised that the negative people's words are not what matter, I found it easier to turn my day around. I managed to go back to my fifth period class before lunch, and to my last two classes of the day after lunch. I smiled and laughed, and had a fairly productive afternoon. All it took was a bout of self-confidence. No matter how bad the day is, there's always time to turn it into a good one.

Finally, I learned that a good support system is essential. I can get so annoyed at my friends and family when I'm feeling stressed, and when they try to help, I sometimes lash out and isolate myself from them. However, without the support and kind words of my mum, stepdad, and friends (Clare, Shanice, Rachel, Lisa and Greg in particular on this day), I probably would have found it significantly harder to pick myself up and brush myself off. Don't push away people who care about you/are concerned for you. 

Sorry that this was a bit of a rant, but it's real life! Thank you for reading, and I'll be back soon. Sending positive vibes! X

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Anxiety.

Everybody experiences feelings of anxiousness at some point in their life. It feels horrible, but overall, if you feel anxious before a test or interview it's probably because it matters to you and pushes you to do well. Everyone gets that feeling of nausea, sweaty palms, heart palpitations etc when they feel nervous. It's normal. But imagine having those feelings everyday, but even more intense.

General Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Phobias, OCD, PTSD and Social Anxiety are all examples of conditions that fall under the general 'anxiety condition'. When a person suffers from anxiety it's a constant battle between what you want to do, and what your anxious thoughts want you to do. Personally, I love the idea socialising, travelling, going new places, but far too many times I've had to miss out as a result of all of the negative and anxious thoughts that come to mind. 

"What if I have a panic attack when I leave my house?"

"I'm being stupid."

"People will look at me if I start panicking."

"Where's the way out?"

"What if I'm sick in front of all these people?"

"I'm gonna pass out."

"People think I'm doing this for attention."

"I've let myself and everyone else down."

"I can't breathe."

For people who deal with severe anxiety will probably experience these thoughts on a daily basis, I do, and it's physically and mentally exhausting. I spend so many hours of my life worrying about what other people think of me, and worrying about things that shouldn't need to be worried about. Getting out of bed and leaving the house in the morning is a challenge most days, never mind leaving the house and entering an unfamiliar situation. 

Many people who suffer with anxiety, well, they suffer alone. They don't feel comfortable with talking to friends and family about how they are feeling. I went through a stage where I avoided social situations just to avoid the terrifying idea of taking a panic attack in front of my friends and strangers. I hated the questions and too often made excuses to stay home by myself. There's still so many occasions when I do this, and my hope for the future is that one day I won't let my negative thoughts ruin positive opportunities. 

While there are so many amazing charities and organisations that help people deal with and overcome their anxiety issues, too many people don't get the help they need. YoungMinds is a charity that provides help and support to children and adolescents (their families too) that suffer from anxiety and other mental illnesses. In the UK, around three children/young people in every classroom suffer from a diagnosable mental illness, and many of these people will not receive the help they need for many reasons. So, on a more positive note, I am organising a sponsored fancy dress walk with my family and friends to raise funds for the YoungMinds charity. I've also set up a JustGiving page that I've inserted a link to in case anybody decides they would like to donate. It's an excellent cause, and every penny counts!

If you suffer from anxiety, please remember that you are not alone, and it's just a small part of you no matter how severe. I'll leave some helpful resources for you to look at if it interests you.

If you know somebody who suffers from anxiety, don't make them feel more uncomfortable than they already do. When they cancel plans, or seem distant, don't get mad at them. Do what you can to help them, and generally be understanding. Unless you've experienced it, you don't know what it's like to experience these physical symptoms and the dark and scary thoughts. So next time you see anybody, even a stranger, look like they are at optimum stress levels as they rummage through their purse for their bus fare in front of you, or look like they want to run for their life out of a crowd of people, you don't know their situation, and don't stare at them, it only makes it worse.

If anyone has any questions, feel free to drop me an email and I'll try and answer them to the best of my ability (tartanvibez@hotmail.com).

Thank you for taking the time to read this slightly more serious blog post, and I'll be back in a few days with a new post! Stay positive and see ya later!! X

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Resources

http://www.youngminds.org.uk/
https://www.anxietyuk.org.uk/
http://www.mind.org.uk/
https://www.headspace.com/

Stop the Stigma

So, this blog post is one that is slightly more serious than usual. Last week I watched Jack Harries' most recent video, and it inspired me to write this blog post. I've linked the video for you guys to watch if you like, but overall it was about ending the negative stigma attached to mental illness.

For as long as I can remember, I've suffered from anxiety. I experience these anxious feelings everyday, but during stressful periods of my life they are a lot worse. It's hard to face the world when you have an ongoing battle between how you want to feel and how you really feel. But it is even harder when people are constantly judging you and making assumptions about your life.

I agree with Jack Harries when he says that we must speak out. People shouldn't be ashamed of themselves. Having a mental illness such as anxiety, depression or eating disorder shouldn't determine who you are, it's only a small part of you. So, it's time we speak  out about mental health, and no longer be ashamed.

If you suffer from a mental illness and need some help and advice, then here are a few helpful links. Don't suffer in silence. You are loved<3.

https://www.anxietyuk.org.uk/

http://www.youngminds.org.uk/

http://www.moodcafe.co.uk/

http://www.mind.org.uk/

http://www.sane.org.uk/

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