Reducing the stigma around mental health
By Elli “How are you doing?” It sounds like an everyday question, but me it started me on my path to recovery. This simple inquiry undid my barriers to recovery. I had my first panic attack at 22. I didn’t know that was what it was called, or that it Continue Reading
By Marié-Louise Bellivent Smile. Just keep smiling. Don’t stop smiling. That’s the theme I function under although inside, I am anxious and hurting. Most days I can almost pass as a ‘normal’ human being. I can carry out all my roles and responsibilities as a parent, partner, adult etc., without Continue Reading
By Shirley Davis There are many aspects to undergoing psychotherapy that most people do not understand. There are also many misconceptions as to what to expect from this unusual and very special relationship. In this unfamiliar association between two strangers, a special bond is formed. As a therapist attempts to Continue Reading
“He’s a teen, it’s just a phase. It will pass.” The problem is that mental illnesses don’t work like that. Depression tends only to get worse.
By Becky Barton When we met, I explained to you that I am shy. That’s my opening line every time I meet someone new. You joked that you’d “pull me outta that”, and I laughed as though I hadn’t heard those tired words a thousand times before. You heard me laugh, and Continue Reading
By Anonymous There was a time when I was so ashamed and even scared for my own doctor to know what was going on in my head. Twice in my life I have majorly broken down and twice I have stood back up again. Terrifying thoughts The first time I had such Continue Reading
By Gabriela I had a conversation with a friend the other day. He asked me, “Where would you be without your parents?” The answer was simple: “I wouldn’t be here.” These were words that had never been spoken out loud before. They were words I kept to myself. Confused and Continue Reading
By Sophie Ann I hurt. I ache all over. My limbs weary and dehydrated from the tears I cried in that empty yard behind the tall church, the horses staring in confusion. I spoke to you like you were there, telling you the recent events of school and the stress from Continue Reading
By Christopher Naylor “The stigma associated with mental illness harms the self-esteem of many people who have serious mental illnesses. An important consequence of reducing stigma would be to improve the self-esteem of people who have mental illnesses.” Source: ps.psychiatryonline.org. Mental health stigma damages self-esteem and delays recovery. It was Continue Reading
By Victoria Jane Why do words hurt so much? They are just words, right? But words do hurt. Humans have very successfully created a wonderful array of words over centuries. We communicate effectively with one another so that we can keep pushing forward as a human race. When you look Continue Reading
By Sophie Ann I get ready for my shower: marshmallow wash on the side, hair products beside it, mint green scrub to wash my legs, towels sprawled over the radiator, moisturiser propped on the washing basket. Stripping off my travel clothes, I pull out my ratty hair and observe the Continue Reading
By Gabriela It doesn’t matter how medicated I am or how much therapy I do, I will always have depression and anxiety as my right and left hand men. They don’t magically disappear. Instead, I accept who I am, and they become manageable – but ya, sometimes the thought of Continue Reading