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One of the reasons I'm not standing for re-election is that for 10 years as an elected member I have been completely focussed on helping others, to the detriment of my own mental and physical health
I now know that self care is not selfish, it's essential
One of the reasons I'm not standing for re-election is that for 10 years as an elected member I have been completely focussed on helping others, to the detriment of my own mental and physical health
I now know that self care is not selfish, it's essential
We are very ready to tweet and tell people #ItsOkayNotToBeOkay or #ItsGoodToTalk but sometimes you don't want to admit you feel this way or you don't want to be a burden
Sometimes when someone asks you "how are you today?" You just rely on the old... "fine"
Paint that smile on
Sometimes when someone asks you "how are you today?" You just rely on the old... "fine"
Paint that smile on
Because anything else requires energy or honesty.
The worst thing is when you eventually do open up, whether it's in a considered way or a spur of the moment way and you are dismissed
Your feelings are not seen as valid or your concerns are ignored
It's makes you feel worse
The worst thing is when you eventually do open up, whether it's in a considered way or a spur of the moment way and you are dismissed
Your feelings are not seen as valid or your concerns are ignored
It's makes you feel worse
Some people really do want to help so here's a bit of advice - if you know someone that is struggling -
Listen
Hear them
Don't dismiss them
Don't joke about them behind their back
Don't patronise them
Don't ever assume you know them or what they are going through
Listen
Hear them
Don't dismiss them
Don't joke about them behind their back
Don't patronise them
Don't ever assume you know them or what they are going through
When someone says to me "hey stranger" or "I've not seen you for ages" that's because I've come home and closed the door because I'm exhausted with all the travelling
Or
Have a mountain of papers and emails to get through
Or
Simply just can't face the world for a bit
Or
Have a mountain of papers and emails to get through
Or
Simply just can't face the world for a bit
I wake up in the middle of the night and lay awake for hours
I worry uncontrollably about things I can't control
I worry how my mental health issues are affecting my family
I worry about being so far away and something going wrong
I worry about worrying too much
I worry uncontrollably about things I can't control
I worry how my mental health issues are affecting my family
I worry about being so far away and something going wrong
I worry about worrying too much
This has been really difficult for me to open up about because I am an intensely private person and my overriding instinct is that this is my business and no-one else's
But if I am going to tell people #MentalHealthMatters then mine does too
#WorldSuicidePreventionDay
But if I am going to tell people #MentalHealthMatters then mine does too
#WorldSuicidePreventionDay
