There should be no shame around mental health

 Having had friends struggling with their mental health recently, i'm not always in a position to be of much help due to my own struggles apart from to try and empathise and advocate that there is no shame in admitting your struggling. 

I was always open about my mental health including at work but in alot of ways I had no choice as I have bad self harm scars which are visible so I would rather people know about them from me then be gossiping behind my back and putting their own judgement on it. (even if wear long sleeves there are times they ride up especially as a carer when washing someone or washing pots etc.) Also as I struggled to get help for my eating disorders for a long time because of there not been specialist services and not meeting the criteria due to not being severe enough then classed as too complex once was self harming etc. the only way services change and evolve is by listening to service users.

I worked as a support worker in mental health and there should be no shame in having a mental health problem. The same way anyone can be physically ill, anyone can suffer from mental illness and shouldn't worry about stigma. I think it is more understood then it used to be due to awareness days and celebrities openly talking about their own mental health. 

I'm not proud I still struggle with my mental health, but I've come a long way from when I was sectioned in hospital (which wouldn't have happened had I been helped years before) but the support I ended up getting due to that admission saved my life and helped me live on my own. I'm not saying I never have suicidal thoughts, but I set goals for the future, none of us know how long we will be here for but I know I want to experience and achieve more before I die.

I don't really know what the point to this post was but if anyone is struggling with their mental health in whatever form, don't be afraid to reach out for help from a professional or get a friend to help you get the right support.


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