OK doesn’t always mean OK

Last week saw a huge campaign take over traditional and social media in support of Mental Health Awareness Day. It was incredible to see so many people being so open and honest about their experiences, all in a bid to help others.

The day was a real eye opener for me, as I read stories and experiences from people in the public eye and people I know personally regarding their own struggles with mental health issues.

It really made me realise that you can never assume anything about others, and what you see on the outside doesn’t always reflect what is really going on in someone else’s life.

So many of the stories shared just go to prove that when someone says they are OK, it doesn’t always mean they are.

Mental Health Awareness Day, highlighted that we have a responsibility to look after each other.

Whether it be our nearest and dearest or the neighbour three doors down that we’ve barely said two words to.

It is all too easy to drift through life in our own little bubble and just concentrate on ourselves, without lifting our heads a little and seeing how we can help other people around us.

Speaking of helping others, there isn’t long to go until this year’s Sunderland Sleep Out, organised and in aid of Centrepoint.

If you’ve never heard of Centrepoint, they are a charity that helps young homeless people, and they do fantastic work right here in Sunderland.

They aren’t simply about giving people a warm bed for the night, they do so much more, from helping young people back into education and work as well as helping them find a long term home.

The Sleep Out is a great event that raises awareness of just how hard it is to sleep outside, in the cold, with little shelter.

It also shows those taking part how difficult it is to function the next day due to sleep deprivation.

This was certainly the case for me after taking part in last year’s event.

Sleeping on the cold, concrete floor and with an early wake up call meant I was far from functioning at my best the next day, and I can’t imagine how hard it would then have been to go to college or work and be alert.

Just like Mental Health Awareness Day, there is so much more to youth homelessness than meets the eye.

One of the reasons I support Centrepoint is because the money raised in Sunderland goes directly back into helping the people of Sunderland.

So if you want to do something positive for the city, then getting involved in this event is a must. You can swap your bed for a sleeping bag on Thursday, November 15, at the Stadium of Light.

Although it is a tough challenge, there is a great atmosphere with lots of activities and also a chance to meet and hear from some of the young people the charity has helped. You can register and find out more info at www. centrepoint.org.uk, and I hope to see you there.

“It really made me realise you can never assume anything about others”

KATIE BULMER-COOKE