Mental Health Awareness Week
This week is Mental Health Awareness Week. So, we wanted to
try and address the people who do not suffer with mental health but know
somebody who does or is perhaps suspicious of someone suffering. This post is
mainly focused on depression but may help people with anxiety and other forms
of mental illness.
Recently in the
past few years many people within the media have taken their own lives,
everyone is always shocked because 'they never appeared to be suffering'. When
this happens, everyone will post about how you don't know what is really going
on in people’s heads. And it's great that people are saying that, because it's
true. But I feel like these people don't really mean it, or they can't take
that and apply it to the people they actually know, to their own children and
relatives. I understand it's hard to look at someone who you love and perceive
to be full of life and then discover that inside something in them is rotting
and dark.
But if that person
turns around and admits; their suffering to you, that they want help, that
they've began to get help from a doctor etc. The worst thing you can do is tell
them that they don't need it, or make them feel little, ashamed or stupid for
being on medication. You might not see their suffering because it's likely they
have spent years mastering how to hide it from you. If you do not understand,
tell them so and ask them to explain further, remain calm and try not to let
your own emotions negatively impact their opening up
But don't tell them they don’t have depression, or
depression isn’t real or something along those lines, because it will break a
certain trust they have in you and they will isolate themselves further. They
will continue suffering alone. If someone is opening up to you it is more than
likely a huge step for them, something they have been trying to pluck up the
courage to do for a long time.
However maybe they haven't reached out to you yet. These are
some basic traits that you should be aware of within someone that can be caused
by their depression. What you should also be aware of, is that somebody may not
display these traits often, or maybe ever. Everyone is different, someone could
appear completely full of life and energy in front of you but it doesn't mean
that when they're alone they're not feeling lifeless, worthless, suicidal, so
many different things.
- · Under / over eating
- · Irritable - someone snapping at you, getting angry is likely because of their low mood
- · Quietness - not wanting to talk
- · Them appearing to not be focused on conversation, activities, work and tasks
- · Struggle with concentration
- · Tiredness - constant fatigue
If you are
suspicious that somebody is suffering the best thing you can do is constantly
show you are there for them and that you love them. Maybe you already are aware
that a friend or family member is depressed.
People with
depression can be difficult, especially when you become someone that they open
up to frequently, but continuing to be there, to show you care and to simply
listen will mean more than you could know. Depression is isolating, it makes the
person feel alone, they could be surrounded by friends and family that deeply
deeply love them but they will still feel alone. It's their mind making them
feel worthless and unloved. Don't think your love is unwanted or unappreciated
by someone suffering because that isn't the case. You have to remember they
have an illness, that causes them to feel and think this way. It is all consuming.
Just because you don't see it doesn't mean it isn't there.
For friends and family, I recommend you read through this
page on the Mind website and dig a bit deeper into mental health.
In world where we're ruled by film, I thought it might be
helpful to share some films to watch to help you understand mental health:
- · It's Kind of A Funny Story
- · Girl, Interrupted
- · The Sweet Life
- · To The Bone
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