LETTING YO KNOW THAT IT’S OK NOT TO BE OK

It was World Mental Health Day on Wednesday. Helpfully, it wasn’t all terrifying statistics and gloomy discussion. Instead, there was a communal feel – with a multitude of folk casually outlining their own mental health issues – showing solidarity and passing on helpful tips.

The dark stuff and horrendous numbers are important to acknowledge, of course – but I’ll keep that bit short. Every year, one adult in every four will have a mental health issue which can profoundly affect their daily lives and ability to maintain relationships and work. Yet of that one in four – only a quarter undergo treatment.

At various moments in our lives, we’ll break a bone, pick up a bug or something that makes us medically or physically unwell. We go see the doctor, we take tablets, we rest – whatever. Yet there’s still this unnecessary and unhelpful stigma lingering around our mental health – impacting our ability to acknowledge causes – and potential solutions.

If you find yourself worrying about your own mental health, you must speak to your GP. If you don’t feel like they’re taking you seriously – get a new GP.

Perhaps you’re not quite ready to speak to someone quite so formally? Then start with friends or family. Or have a look at the information and help available online – search World Mental Health Day for a start – and follow a multitude of links.

Then there are days we all have, where we’re just not that motivated and…. struggling. Just a little. On those days, I’ve found it helpful to look at how the ‘little things’ can give a bit of a boost.

Inpired by World Mental Health Day – and the spirit of solidarity – I asked friends online for there own mental health ‘fitness’ tips, just some of which are listed below. Whether any of these help you or not – it was good to talk, and to realise the majority of us are in the same boat.

Thanks to everyone who shared.