Why we ALL need to be part of the movement to #endthestigma...
Now this isn't a particularly new topic, but it is still just as important ever.
I for one, can't think of a single person I know, whether that be family or friend who has had 100% good mental health throughout their lives... Everyone I know has struggled at some point, to some degree. And whilst I don't want anyone to suffer with their mental health, it's an understandable part of the complex lives that we lead. With this in mind, why do we still treat mental health as a taboo topic?
Our mental health is an integral part of who we are, how we perceive the world, how we interact with others, and ultimately how happy we are. Mental wellness is a spectrum. There are some people who suffer from daily anxiety and can cope well with it, others who can't. There are some whose anxiety leads to depression. And for some that depression leads to suicidal feelings, thoughts or even actions.
With around 20% of children and adolescents affected by a mental health condition and suicide being the 2nd leading cause of death among 15-29 year olds, it's really time we put more effort into protecting our mental health and promoting wellness before it is too late.
Now I'm not talking about teaching young children about all the different types of mental illness, what I'm saying is that we need to have a more universal awareness and acceptance of mental health issues and have the knowledge to be able to spot the early signs that something is not ok.
Over the next few months I am going be writing articles, sharing facts and busting myths about common mental health conditions. Mental health isn't something to be hidden away and only brought forward when it's a problem, it's something that needs to become part of our daily lives and routines in order to preserve wellness and prevent illness.
I am looking forward to sharing this journey with you as we delve deeper into mental health and move towards a more positive future!
As always, please get in touch if you would like to discuss anything further.
Look after yourself!
