This week is Mental Health Awareness Week and this year is probably the best I’ve been for a long time in terms of mental health. If you are a regular reader to the blog you’ll know I’ve had depression, anxiety and panic attacks over the last few years.
I was on TV last week talking briefly about my issues and I got mainly all positive feedback. There’s always going to be someone who has a pop and thankfully I’m in a better place to not let that get to me as I would have done in the past.
If my story gives people hope that’s good enough for me. I used to look at certain people and wonder why they had depression/anxiety etc. when they seemed to have such great lives. You never know what’s going on behind closed doors. We are all great at wearing a mask, saying we are grand but sometimes it’s far from the truth.
We live in a fast moving world. Social Media can be both good and bad. It’s hard to see behind the filters, so on the outside everything can look amazing when it really isn’t.
I’ve realised depression and anxiety can hit anyone at any time and everyone has their own experience of what helps them feel better. A kind word can help. If someone doesn’t seem to be doing so well just offer them an ear. Let them know you are there for them. Your kindness can make all the difference.
This morning we had our Social Havin’aLaugh Coffee morning. It’s just over 2 years since the first one. It’s a friendly space, it’s not a therapy session and anyone is welcome. I’m happy for people to chat to me about mental health issues and I can tell them what help me or what symptoms I had. Others just want to sit and have a coffee with a friendly face. I love the buzz of chat and the laughs – and we do laugh. I for one leave in a better mood than when I arrive and that’s thanks to all who come along for the chat.
I hope you all have a wonderful week and if you aren’t feeling the best today I hope tomorrow is a better day for you. You can find out more about Havin’aLaugh here.
Magnumlady Blog 
Sorry to hear you have had people having a pop at you for discussing mental health Val, the way I see it is by the time you reach 50 you will have had your fair share of sorrows.. there also the “slowing down” of ageing plus susceptibility to a myriad of diseases increases dramatically.. some lucky folk will breeze through these years without noticing much change but that isn’t true for the majority dispite what the death denilist smoothie swilling fools would want you to believe.. it is the case I believe that such “pops” are aimed at shooting the messenger and blaming the victim rather than extend compassion and accept the fragility of our brief existence..
yes Bert, you could well be right.