This week is mental health awareness week, I've decided to try and put on a short post each day about this as it's a subject very close to me. To start off I wanted to address this first post for people who don't suffer with any form of mental health. Particularly to parents. (I would also just like to quickly note I am mainly talking about depression within this post as that is what I know and understand.)
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 peoples 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. But don't tell them it's not their 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 is caused by their depression. What I can not stress enough, is that somebody may not display these often/all the time!!! 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 concerntration
- 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, to simply listen will mean more than you could know. Depression is isolating, it makes you feel alone, you could be surrounded by friends and family that deeply deeply love you but you will still feel alone. It's your mind making you 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.
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/depression/for-friends-and-family/#.WvlCq6Qvzcs
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
