Friday 19 February 2016

Why we need to talk about mental illness

Recently, it was #timetotalk on Twitter - and I love that, I love people opening up about something they're struggling with and being greeted with support and love and care. And it is time to talk, and it always will be, until the stigma surround the vast, stab-in-the-dark umbrella term that is "mental illness" is gone. So, why do we need to talk about mental illness?

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Because you can't ring in sick because you feel too overwhelmingly sad or anxious to come to work/school/uni.

Because people still think you can simply 'get over' a mental illness.

Because from a young age, I worried about meningitis and cancer and I knew all the symptoms - but I never knew what to look out for in terms of mental illness.

Because when we do talk, some people do it in hushed tones.

Because if you have to go to your GP and tell them you feel suicidal, they'll make you wait three days to speak to anybody about it.

Because it's easier to hurt yourself, or hide away, than to ask for help.

Because I've been waiting over a year for CBT.

Because 1 in 4 people will experience a mental illness.

Because it doesn't just affect the person suffering - it creates ripples that affect their friends, family, co-workers.

Because "cheer up" doesn't do the trick.

Because TV shows and films and whatever else don't come with trigger warnings.

Because mental illness is nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about.

Because if you talk, there is so much support.

It will always be time to talk - and there will always be somebody to listen. There will always be somebody ready to give you advice, or hold you, or love you. There will always be people who have gone through it, or are going through it, or have come out the other side. Talk, listen, care.

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2 comments:

  1. I feel mental illness is something that needs more awareness raised. It has been spoken about a lot more lately in the news, it definitely needs more coverage as it's so important! xx

    Jasmine || http://www.blogsallbeautyy.blogspot.co.uk

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  2. Great post Katy and something so incredibly important. Mental health is such a taboo - I feel too afraid to write in detail about it on my blog in case people write horrible things or a future employer reads it and judges me.

    Jenna
    xxx
    | princessparasox.wordpress.com | bloglovin' |

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