The Beeb has been showing some interesting programmes about mental health this past week. I have finally been feeling ok to watch some of them. I had been reluctant to watch any in case they made me feel worse. They are a very interesting watch and I would recommend watching, if you have access to the BBC iPlayer.
We don’t talk about mental health. I certainly didn’t, until recently. And even now I am very careful who I reveal my mental issues to. There is still a big stigma out there and people are still very judgemental.
So in case you are in any doubt. I suffer from depression.
I have lost many a friend (and boyfriend) to it as when it hits I turn in on myself and shut out the world. I tend to be more honest with people now, but as I said prevously, I’m still very careful who I tell.
Two weeks ago I fell into one of my bouts of depression but am coming out of it now. I re-posted the picture below about a week ago and thought I would share it with you.
Just to be clear I wasn’t suicidal.
The picture just reminded me how I sometimes feel when faced with people suffering with their own mental health issues.
Even with the experience of my own depression I struggle with how to help a person who is suffering from mental health issues. I really should do something about that.
Interesting post, David. Useful chart. Thanks for opening up. I have many friends working for charities and / or / health service so have encountered many tales of the consequences of mental health breaking down and support services being patchy – sometimes good, sometimes ineffective or even dangerous. Glad you’re in a more positive place right now. Your website is a great source of information and stimulation.
Thanks, Paul. It’s a shame we have a “postcode lottery” when it comes to mental health services in the UK. It is also a shame that I can access mental health services within weeks where I live, but my nephew, who is under eighteen, has to be put on a waiting list.
Many thanks to bring this up. I recently discovered that a very good friend passed away after accidental overdose on meth. He started taking meth after developed a depression from his breakup . I managed to gain assess on his computer and to have found out that he kept some sort of video diary and he was trying to get himself out of this drug issues. The sad thing was that – on hindsights – he did drop us hints over and over again. But no one actually has enough time to monitor and help him getting out of this vicious cycle of depression, bipolar and drug issues. His sister and I both agreed that some of the issues can traced back to their childhood. We both felt that we should be setting up a charity focusing on helping children in mental health (something that I believe still largely absent/underfunded in both US/ UK). I hope that you are doing okay!