One
in four of us will experience a mental health problem every year. But we still
don’t talk about it (MIND Mental Health organisation)
The room
is black. Pitch black. You feel alone, but in reality you’re surrounded by
people. In your room, your secret room no-one knows about, there is no way out,
no escape; it has become your fate, your destiny to be here. You are trapped.
The
room is closing in, and you can’t breathe, your heart begins to quicken, and
you panic, and shake. Now there is a hole, a dark hole creeping towards your
feet. And you want to jump in and let it consume you, swallow you up, because
there is no point in standing alone in a dark room listening to that voice
taunting you, telling you to jump. No-one can hear your silent screams for
help, and the tears gush uncontrollably in a torrent of pain, as you realise,
this is it, this is your life.
YOUNG
MINDS an organisation for adolescent mental health, quotes that 1 in 10
children aged between 5-16 suffer from a diagnosable mental illness. That is
around three children in every class.
60% of
our children in care suffer from a mental illness
95% of
young offenders are diagnosed with some form of mental illness, usually more
than one type.
For some
sufferers though, mental illness is triggered by an event, the birth of a
child, the death of a close one, an illness, and financial worries.
A brave young mum tells me it was
an illness that triggered her depression. I have chosen to call her Alice.
When did you first recognise
you were suffering from a mental illness?
I didn't, a nurse in hospital did, I was recovering in a rehabilitation Centre after having a brain virus. It was a result of the virus and my stay in hospital.
I didn't, a nurse in hospital did, I was recovering in a rehabilitation Centre after having a brain virus. It was a result of the virus and my stay in hospital.
What were the signs?
Very anxious, crying a lot, wanting to stay in bed, no interest in interacting with people I didn’t really know, lack of concentration, loss of interest in personal appearance, lack of appetite
Very anxious, crying a lot, wanting to stay in bed, no interest in interacting with people I didn’t really know, lack of concentration, loss of interest in personal appearance, lack of appetite
Was it an
easy issue for you to deal with?
Not at all,
worst time of my life
Depression is a slow mental death, if you do nothing about it. It eats
at all your hopes and dreams, it tells you lies, that no-one loves you, and
no-one wants you around. It stamps on your energy, and crushes all sense of
happiness from the inside out.
Sarah Lancashire: Actress: "My twenties were a
write-off. It's a cruel illness, because you can't see it and you can hide it
so well."
Stephen Fry: Actor and director: "I may have looked happy.
Inside I was hopelessly depressed."
Robbie Williams: Singer:"The depression isn't
about anything; it's not about 'woe is me'. It's like the worst flu all day and
you can't kick it."
Keisha Buchanan: Singer,
Sugababes: "With
depression, you can go in and out of it and not really know whether it's still
there or not. Sometimes I'd find myself bursting into tears for no
reason."
George Michael: Singer: "Twelve years of
depression and fear and lots of other bad stuff. It was as if I had a curse on
me. I couldn't believe how much God was piling on at once."
Our mental illness becomes our secret, it becomes a dark shameful secret
room that no-one knows about.
Talking about mental health, can strengthen friendships, aid recovery,
break down stereotypes, and remove the taboo from something that affects us
all” (MIND)
What were
the stigmas you have come across?
Alice: People thinking you’re mad, pathetic, weak, should be able to pull yourself together
Alice: People thinking you’re mad, pathetic, weak, should be able to pull yourself together
How did you make the decision to deal with your
illness, and what did you do?
Alice:
I didn’t, I was prescribed anti-depressants while in the rehab Centre
What would be your advice to anyone suffering in silence?
Alice: Don’t be ashamed and talk to someone/anyone even if it’s nobody you know, get help
What would be your advice to anyone suffering in silence?
Alice: Don’t be ashamed and talk to someone/anyone even if it’s nobody you know, get help
Mental
illness affects everyone. It is not particular about race, sex, ability or
disability. It is not a 'weak' illness for 'weak people.
It
is estimated that 60 soldiers a month are diagnosed with mental illness, two a
day.
There is no shame in having your secret room Brit Writers, but no
longer keeping it a secret should be the first fight against your illness. Make
it your mission to find the door, open it, and let some-one in, anyone.
It’s time we talked.
If you would like help on the subject discussed.
Please contact your local GP immediately, or the following organisations.
Rabiya this is such an awesome post of awareness;)
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