JOANNA CAREW

A wry smile spreads across my psychologist’s face when she recalls our first session 8 years ago, a time when I insisted that “I didn’t have mental health”.

In the 5 years leading up to my psychology sessions, I’d taken two huge overdoses, attempted suicide by hanging, dangerously withdrawn medication, abused alcohol, become agoraphobic and couldn’t independently care for myself.

During this time I experienced some horrific stigma around mental health. A close family member and several friends disowned me, school mums avoided me, my son faced awful bullying, and multiple police officers and health professionals treated me with absolute disdain.

The stigma I faced exacerbated my feelings of shame and contributed to my denial of having mental health. So, I decided I didn’t want to be a victim and I didn’t need help.

Clearly, looking at me you didn’t need to be a psychologist to work out that I was suffering with mental ill health, I just didn’t understand it!

Now I am proud to say I do have mental health after all … but the biggest news to me was that WE ALL DO!!

Fast forward to 2024 and it’s fantastic to see the stigma now falling away, a growing recognition that we all experience pain and suffering, and rather than judging others we can lean in with kindness and compassion.

Let’s all shout about Mental Health Awareness!

👊 Raise awareness.
👊 Discuss mental wellbeing.
👊 Kill the stigma.

Be sure to follow my posts throughout Mental Health Awareness week: candid as ever I will share more about my recovery from mental ill health, and tips and resources for maintaining good mental health. #nomindleftbehind

❤️‍🩹‼️❤️‍🩹 If you are suffering mental ill health right now, please understand that nobody is weak for suffering. You CAN feel better, even though it seems impossible, you can. Please please reach out to a friend, colleague, loved one, or a stranger. Reaching out is a leap of faith, but it’s a show of STRENGTH to ask for help, and it’s your first step to healing all of that pain xxxx

Mental Health Crisis Helplines: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/crisis-services/helplines-listening-services/