Wisdom Wednesday: Let's Normalize Mental Health:

Hi All, 

Welcome to another Wisdom Wednesday, this topic means a lot to me. If you are anyone who is feeling somewhat down for a long time now, please know you are not alone and talk to someone, releasing all that tension and negativity out of your body will be such a relief - Trust me! 

What is mental Health?: 

So, according to the Oxford Dictionary Mental Health is defined as: 

A person’s condition with regard to their psychological and emotional well-being. Psychological and emotional well-being I like to believe are two factors that shape who we are, without these factors we are simply robots. We all would be trained to be the exact same,being trained to simply eat and sleep. Mental health affects how we act, think and feel. If this is damaged then it needs to be taken seriously, this is people's lives and the stigma we have, especially us young people about mental health needs to change. It's crazy to believe that some people would give more sympathy to someone with a cold rather than someone suffering with a mental health issues. Let's change this! 

People who write about Mental Health only look for Attention??????????

Hate this theory young people come up with! I believe those who are willing to share their stories about their Mental Health issues are warriors. It takes a serious amount of guts to share a personal story, emotions and basically put their lives out there! These Warriors want to help others from preventing it to happen to anyone else, to get others to seek help before it progresses, to raise awareness and normalizes the issue. Mental Health is just like any other sickness so why should there be a stigma towards it? So, next time you see a post about Mental Health why not give it a share rather than an eye roll? 

It can happen anyone! 

You don't have to be crying in the middle of the street to be recognised as having mental health issues. Mental Health is a danger because unlike other illnesses, the symptoms can be disguised -  It can be disguised very easily in fact. For all you know, you're bestie who may be the joker of the group could be really struggling! It's really important to be open about mental health and always text your friends to ask how they are etc, because mental health can be very isolating, a simple text from a pal can do someone the world of good. Always be open minded about Mental Health. 

The Mental Health Issue Doesn't Define You- 

Instead of saying I'm depressed, say I have depression, instead of saying I'm bipolar, say I have bipolar. Don't equate yourself to your illness, that is where the stigma begins. A little tip, you wouldn't say I'm 24 hour bug or I'm Cold and Flu. Why should Mental Health be any different? 

Don't Worry About Others: 

The stigma can affect many people with Mental Health Issues. They may feel like they are a burden or they are just feeling silly or stupid, they may feel that they don't deserve to express themselves due to the stigma surrounding Mental Health. You know what I say? People that are negative towards Mental Health are the ones with issues. If you don't feel well emotionally, you have every right to seek help and talk about it! The longer you leave it, the worse your feelings will get! 

***SPEAK, STAND UP, SUPPORT AND SHARE***: 

Come onnnn Ireland and fellow friends, let's break the stigma! If you see anything Mental Health related speak about it to others, stand up and support the issues. We are guilty of having too many friends we may or may not know on Facebook, however, sharing something or speaking about Mental Health may reach one person on your newsfeed and help them, you never know who may be suffering. We need to create a friendly and supporting space for people who may feel low. 

I would like to dedicate this blog to those who have shared their stories about Mental Health online- You are the real Warriors and Thank You!! 

It's never too late to speak up about Mental Health! 

Take Care, 

Niamh! 

X 

Mind Yourself - My Leaving Cert Story

My Leaving Cert year on the outside seemed perfect, a leading part in the musical, being part of the student council team and not to mention getting to college. But on the inside it was constant stress, pressure, anxiety and constant despair. I felt as though I had no reason to feel like this so would put it aside everyday. Everyday began to feel like a week, the strain was getting too much and the Leaving Cert pressure destroyed my personality, I didn't know who I was anymore. This is a story about the beginning of my depression and my emotions and feelings. I know everyone's stories and emotions are completely different. The aim of this blog post is to help anyone that may feel somewhat the same or to tell people not to let the Leaving Cert get to you- you are much better than that. 

I haven't studied enough. I'm not going to get anywhere. 

School became a nightmare, classmates telling me how much they studied the previous night, how many grinds they attend. Sitting in a classroom feeling full of despair, 'I can't do this', 'I'm not like the others', 'I won't get to college' The thought process was non stop that I couldn't focus in class, constantly feeling sick, lunch was my only break. Coming home, I would eat my dinner and go straight to my desk for the night. 3 hours began to 4 hours, 4 hours began to pulling all nighters. I remember Mum and Dad being so concerned but I felt as though they didn't understand, this was something I had to do. Every night would lead to me crying endlessly in my pillow, wishing this year would be over. I would wake up, put my bag on my heavy shoulders and throw on my fake smile. 'Everything will be fine' I kept saying to myself - But it wasn't, I wasn't. 

Guilt. 

The simple tasks like going to the shops made me feel nothing but guilt. Going to 18ths, shopping, even going on a school trip. I hated it, all I wanted to do was study, I began to feel exhausted and the sadness increased. There was also guilt because I was feeling sad, I had no reason to be, everything was fine, I was fine. People had bigger problems I would tell myself. I guess I was in denial that I was beginning to get depression. That's one thing to note, never ignore or feel guilty that you aren't feeling yourself, it's important to always be happy. 

Lashing out: 

I began to feel that nobody understood me, nobody knew the pressure I was under, when in fact every Leaving Cert student was feeling the same pressure. I would distance myself from my friends, boyfriend and even my family. I didn't want to talk to anyone or tell them how I was feeling. I felt a burden to people, an unnecessary one. My only companion was my studying essentials. I am so thankful that my loved ones stood by me but I then began to realise that something wasn't right and it was me. Always talk to someone about how you feel, and don't isolate yourself. The isolation leads to social anxiety, which is something I still to this day, need to improve. 

The Leaving Cert had changed who I was, it took me months to recover from it. All for what? A piece of paper saying congrats you remembered a heap of unnecessary stuff e.g algebra :) Listen, there is so much more to life than the piece of paper don't let it stop you from getting what you want. Do your best and the rest will sort itself out. I hope this helped in any shape or form and don't ever feel down. Remember everyone is in the same boat as you, together you all will do great! We don't have to discuss the Leaving 24/7, talk about Summer, Weekends, 18ths etc. Do what makes you happy, focus on yourself and your health. 

Stay happy always, 

Niamh 

x