Reducing the stigma around mental health
By Anonymous You were meant to go back to work after the weekend. We couldn’t afford for you to do a phased return if you didn’t. We thought we’d have a lovely weekend, enjoying our little family. Then work called. Everything hit stop. You can’t go in. They want you Continue Reading
By Tina Blacksmith I remember listening to Linkin Park every day. I would sing along with Mike because it was easier than singing with Chester. Then as I got older, I stopped listening to them and found other bands. So when I saw the headline on July 20th, it was Continue Reading
By Jake Catterall Dear Gorgeous, I write this because I don’t know how to say it with words. It’s a letter to you explaining who I am, and why I appreciate everything you do. This is unedited, raw and painful to write. We just had a massive argument, possibly the Continue Reading
By Dan Briggs I’ve tried to make a conscious effort to stop using the word ‘normal’, because what does it actually mean? What is normal? And who decides it? Because I have depression, am I somehow abnormal? For too many years my depression defined me. I was made to feel Continue Reading
By Katrina Bruni As a nation, we are improving our awareness of mental health. Digital media has thankfully played a positive part in this, and we are able to spread the message more widely and independently. But for years, mental health denial has persisted. Mental health has been covered up, Continue Reading
By Lowri Smith Conditional love – love that is only given if you meet a certain criteria or set of rules or demands placed on you. “Wow I’m so proud of you that you got all As!” And that was it. That was all you got and you never knew Continue Reading
By Lana Cheaito Hood People around me committing suicide made my eyebrows fall out. Obviously this wasn’t the most standout part of the events, or the most difficult to deal with. But let me just tell you, having an ugly crying face is one thing. Having an ugly crying face Continue Reading
By Anonymous Work. That thing that sometimes just has to give. Looking after a child and supporting someone else with depression takes time and energy. It is worth every evening of bath time, every moment of cuddling, every time of just giving space. If it has to, then work can Continue Reading
By Tom Wavre If you suffer from panic attacks you will know how debilitating and frightening they really can be. I didn’t know. I didn’t understand. Until I had my first one. You never forget your first time I was out with people from work before a sales meeting. I’ve Continue Reading
By Patrick A. Roland I should have known I was in trouble when they started calling me The Sparkle King. About six weeks after the release of Unpacked Sparkle, I entered a New Year’s Eve dance on a large throne. 6 people, dubbed the Sparklettes, danced and swirled around me, Continue Reading
Stigma is all around us and can be found in many different places, taking many different forms. Some is very overt, from the person fired from their job. To the one verbally and physically abused by those close to them. Then there are the more subtle such as little jibes Continue Reading
By bipolaretaeus Having a diagnosis of Bipolar Affective Disorder and being a mental health nurse comes with challenges. Without bipolar, it does anyway. I went into nursing because of my constant exposure to mental illness in my family, in me and some of my friends. I wanted, and still want, Continue Reading