MENTAL HEALTH ASK FOR HELP IF YOUR MENTAL HEALTH IS SUFFERING

THE past four months have been very challenging for many people.

Cut off from family and friends, from human contact and routine, people of all ages have been struggling with their mental health.

A Wexford mental health awareness organisation called Ask has been working for three years to highlight the importance of being open about your mental health.

Founded by Frank Staples, the organisation emphasises the importance of opening up by talking to someone about your problem.

Frank said during the Covid ‘ lockdown’ more people have had time to stop and reflect on their lives. For many they have realised how busy they were and how important it is to take time for family and friends.

Spun Out, a website run by young people, released figures recently highlighting a 100 per cent rise in calls from young people who said they were suffering from depression and/or anxiety. Frank said his generation (of men in particular) didn’t know how to express their issues, which led to feelings getting bottled up and ensuing chaos and tragedy in many cases.

He said great strides have been made in recent times to remove the stigma of mental health from society.

Afterall everyone has mental health, just as they have health, and it is important for people to see their doctor if they are experiencing a bout of depression or severe anxiety.

As Frank says: ‘In Ask we have a slogan: One Conversation Can Save A Life. I really believe that with all of my heart. The first conversation is always the hardest. There are lots of people who died by suicide who wouldn’t have if they had taken that step and had that first conversation.’

Launched in March 2017, Ask’s stated aim is to get people to ask for help.

He said the feedback to the campaign has one again shown up the scale of mental health issues people are facing and how talking about problems can help people see a way out of them.

Among the top tips Frank has for people who are very stressed, anxious and have other mental health problems currently is exercise, a good diet and a positive approach to life.

‘Go for that walk. Get on the bike. Be brave enough to go to your doctor and say you are suffering from depression.’