Conversations about mental health are needed now

The 25-days live video challenge was a way of David reaching out and starting a conversation around mental health – something he feels is needed more than ever.

“During lockdown people may have issues and they don’t really know what it is or how to deal with it,”he said.

“I wanted to show just how comfortable a conversation could be between two people about a whole range of issues.

“We had some really emotional stories from our guest speakers but it was important to show how open you can be – even with people who you maybe didn’t even know outside of my page. It was amazing to see the conversations develop.

“I couldn’t have done it without the other speakers – they made it what it was.”

The guest speakers were a vital part of the challenge for David and issues highlighted ranged from suicide and drug and alcohol addiction to post natal-depression and pregnancy depression.

David went on: “often with mental health, when it begins to deteriorate people don’t know what to do, or know what’s happening and by the time they realise it’s an issue they are a long way down the road.

“I am seeing a lot more posts online where people have taken their own lives, particularly young men.

“So much is being done to battle Covid but what is being done to help people’s mental health?

“The first thing to do is to talk, even if that first conversation is really hard; but it does get better. Then find out what helps you; it could be medication, therapy, or a mix of both or exercise.

“But don’t be ashamed about struggling with your mental health – there are a lot of people who will be feeling the same way.”

David added: “i am in the best place mentally I have been in a while but I’m not naive, I know my issues could come back. But I’m prepared if they do. I also want to continue the videos on maybe a weekly or fortnightly basis. I am taking a break as doing it for 25 days straight was hard on me emotionally, but it’s not finished. I want to keep it going to help others.”

To follow David go to https://www.facebook. com/ampiesstory/ or search for Mental Illness My Story on Facebook.