Ok, so it's World Mental Health Day, it's been trending all day on Twitter, so I thought I'd just add my tuppence worth. I know this may sound a little mean, but I'm sure that most of the "retweeters"have no idea what it's like to suffer from this dreadful invisible illness.
They're the lucky ones.
It's fantastic that they're all jumping on the bandwagon and raising awareness, but how many of them have actually suffered from or lost somebody close to depression? Do they actually offer comfort to sufferers? Some may work with the ill, and I have nothing but praise for these folks. They're doing a great job. Every last one.
Yes, depression has affected loved ones. Personally, I'm not going to spill my guts here, but I will say that it's hard with no support.
What if you're suffering and there's no one to turn to? What if you can't afford that call to the Samaritans? What if there's no family or friends? Then what? What if you're in denial?
Depression is a horrible, dark, scary lonely place. I drapes itself round you like an ugly dark cloak and sometimes it's hard to break free. Some people never do, and it leads to heartbreaking consequences for all involved.
"Surround yourself with people who make you feel better"
"Do something that makes you happy"
Sometimes, just sometimes, you may want to be alone and the things that make you happy just don't work. It's just a huge, empty void of darkness.
"Go and talk to your doctor if you feel that bad"
"Snap out of it"
"There are so many people in the world who are much worse off than you"
Comments like this do NOT help. We've all heard them, right? A mug of tea, hug and a sympathetic ear help.What if you don't want to go to the doctor because you feel you'll be wasting their time? Sometimes, you're made to feel guilty for feeling so bad. What's the difference between "having a bad day" and depression? Do anti depressants actually help? Or is it all in your head? Well, yes, it is, in a way, it's classed a "mental illness" and it covers a whole spectrum of symptoms. So many questions. We can Google it as much as we like but we'll never understand it's full complexity.
Some days it IS hard to get out of bed and go about your daily routine, but get through the day and congratulate yourself for surviving it.
Help IS out there. Nobody should feel totally alone. But sadly, some do. I follow blog of a lady who is depressed, and the stuff she writes is straight from the depths of her soul. Just sharing what's inside your head, to me, is a HUGE step forward. Writing stuff down, getting it "out there". The first step is always the most difficult to make, and all those people out there who have admitted they need help are amazing. Those who are on the long, hard road to recovery...better still.
Is there light at the end of the tunnel? For some, yes. And that is the hardest battle to overcome. To find that light and have something to strive for.
I know that "things will get better" seem like empty words. But they're kind words. And sometimes, that's all we need to make our day a little better. A little more manageable.
So please be kind, you never know the personal battle somebody may be fighting.
Let me know your thoughts, it shouldn't be swept under the carpet and ignored. Every day should be #WorldMentalHealthDay
#Stigma
Until next time...
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