This year I’ve found out that two young people I know have recently suffered mental health issues severe enough to require a hospital stay. I’ve had a colleague at work similarly affected, and I know another person who ended up killing themselves. Another colleague of mine has lost two family members to suicide, and themselves suffered mental health issues. I know loads of people who’ve had issues for which medication has been prescribed.
I too have had major problems, enough to inspire medication and time off work.
On the surface though, we hide these problems, we get on, we cope. The mask we wear is to require show we aren’t weak, to stop people worrying about us, perhaps to delude ourselves that all is well. We, us? I, myself.
No no, don’t worry, I’m fine right now. That’s what I say, both to myself and to you. It’s okay. (Actually, right now it’s not terrible – yes, I have life-long issues which I’m honestly working to address, but the cloud over me is not all around me, encompassing, enveloping).
My point is this – mental health problems are incredibly common, and very often well-hidden. This post is inspired by a young person who’s suffered (and is suffering) with a real and horrible issue, and is working through their recovery. Hopefully their strength will help others, and hopefully my post will be the first I make which might help others too.