Time To Talk - Mental Health

[Dizmo]

The next statement is taken from - http://www.time-to-change.org.uk/timetotalkday

"Thank you for being part of Time to Talk Day 2015 by taking 5 minutes out of your day to have a conversation about mental health.

Mental health problems affect 1 in 4 people every year, yet too often people are afraid to talk about their experiences because they fear it will affect their jobs or relationships. That’s not right and it’s why we need your help today to break the silence and end the stigma.

We all have mental health, just like we all have physical health, so you don’t need to be an expert to have a conversation today. Take 5 with a friend to find out how they’re doing, watch and share our film or have a conversation online – these are all small things you can do to make a big difference.

Once you’ve had your conversation, don’t forget to come back and record it on our interactive counter. By midnight tonight, we want the counter to show at least 24 hours’ worth of conversations, so make sure you remember to log your 5 minutes!"

Let's cut the stigma of mental health!

[ummmm]

I've never seen stigma with mental health. My dad, such a lovely man, had a breakdown when I was a kid. It made me realise and understand that mental health is beyond peoples control x

[sandyRoe]

Agree with Ummm. And it's seemingly small things that can take their toll and eventually grind you down.
AB has been a great help to me in recent times.

[Retrochic]

Ummmmm you are lucky then not to have seen the stigma -I've seen it on here when a 'lovely' member who shall be nameless but has loads of kids she calls 'things' told me I couldn't possible have suffered with real depression because I live in a big house with plenty of money -incredible! I've suffered post natal depression and been told to 'cheer up you've got a new baby you should be happy'. People do not understand, not necessarily being nasty, just do not understand most mental health issues start with a physical condition,either hormonal or imbalances of chemicals in the brain. People need to feel you should have a 'reason' to be depressed and when they can't find a reason in your life they just tell you to pull your socks up.

[ummmm]

I said that 'I' have never seen the stigma.

I worked in mental health for quite a few years. I do know the stigma attached by some.

I very much doubt that the 'nameless' person said that.

[Retrochic]

Ummmm please don't make this into a personal issue with me. It was said and I replied and both answers were deleted. It was quite a nasty post which refereed to me 'sitting in my country pile selling retro tat ' I reported it and it was deleted. My reply was if rich people didn't suffer depression she best go tell that to the family of Robin Williams -for some reason that reply was deleted to. Anyway your response speaks volumes about yourself so I'll leave this thread.

[ummmm]

It's not personal. You always say that and i don't understand why...

What speaks volumes about me is the fact I've worked in mental health, have lived with someone who suffered with mental health and am good friends with someone who suffers with mental health.

Not believing you isn't personal...it's just that I don't believe you. If Sher said anything like that it would have been pure sarcasm. Look at your posts, you've experienced everything...

[Retrochic]

Right Ummmm I'll set you straight once and for all. I'm 56 years old and have 'had a life'. I lived and worked in more countries than you've probably had holidays in, and my life is full. I've experienced a lot and probably still will. This is an answerbank therefore if I've had the experience of something I will answer -that's what its all about. Considering I've asked around 34 questions since coming on here last year I would not class myself as a 'know it all'. You can defend your little mateys until the cows come home it makes no difference to me,nor the sentiment behind anything that is said. This post is supposed to be about talking about mental health and the stigma behind it. Its not chatterbank.

[anneasquith]

indeed it is not chatterbank, have your wee tiffs elsewhere. there is still even in ' this enlightened age'' massive stigma re mental health,

[ummmm]

56. Not much younger than my mother.

[Baldric]

Well, that's a good start, I don't think I'll bother now,
Cheers!

[murraymints]

mental health is a very serious subject and this is really not the platform for squabbles.....it is still treated with suspicion and distrust in the land of employment and any open discussion can only be good and help lift the veil on a taboo subject which is the curse of many folk these days...i agree with retro that having money or things does not preclude you from this awful condition it does happen to a lot of people regardless of age race social status...hope you are feeling brighter now Retro and Sandy

[Tilly2]

At least now, it's not described as 'bad nerves'. There seemed to have been a lot of people around me, when I was a teenager, who had 'bad nerves'.

[Dizmo]

Sorry all, I wasn't ignoring you. I was just having a long conversation about mental health to someone on the phone. At this rate I'll of probably filled half the quota by myself.

I've got to go out now for most of the day but I've got my solar panel (funny because I need some sun) to charge my phone. Hours of bus journeys so I'll still be on AB. Thank you for your input so far - lets beat the stigma.

[mccfluff]

it can be difficult at work, a colleague of mine was signed off with stress quite recently & whilst off her grandfather died and her sick leave was extended. the official reaction was as required but in the office amongst the staff it was treated with derision & suspicion - particular she has posted pics on fb where she was enjoying herself over xmas and the inference was, she is off with depression so she has to stay at home and feel sorry for herself, how dare she do something to make her happier.

I've suffered for years with depression, in the past i've been prescribed anti depressants but i didn't like the way i felt on them so i stopped & went for CBT which for me really helped - i found out that the best thing for me was to exercise.
Still have the old "black dog" come sit on my shoulder now and then but I have to accept its part of my life & fight it when i feel the blues coming on.

I have huge problems talking about it though. I feel ashamed and that people think that its not real and i've heard more than once "pull yourself together there are worse off than you" which is really helpful when you feel like the world is closing in on you

A few of my friends know, my doc, not a chance at work & i think this may be the first time i've typed about it.....

[cupid04]

My dad suffered a breakdown after my mum died. Wasn't aware of it at the time as my sister and I were quite young and went to live with an aunt for a while. I mysyelf suffer depression from time to time and it's not easy to explain away as physical problems.

[maggiebee]

As a Samaritan I speak to people with mental health problems regularly - everything from anxiety to bi polar. At the end of the day they are just people like me and I too have suffered from clinical depression for many years. Anything that reduces the stigma should be welcomed.

[mazie]

Well said...Fluffy... And whilst we are on the subject I would like to say I have had times in my life when I have suffered with crippling panic attacks.... I didn't tell anyone for ages as I was so ashamed. Everyone thought I was this strong capable woman...Well I'm not all the time :o( These panic attacks returned after 30 years when my Mum passed away... They've buggered off again now but they are crippling and real to me.

[wolf63]

When I am depressed it is as if my body and brain have closed down. Simple decisions take hours to make. But it is obvious to people who know me that I am ill.

When I am manic or hyper people think that I am well and this is me being happy and outgoing. It can mean that I am psychotic or heading in that direction. It can be a very destructive time - and fun (for me anyway) as I am 'flying'.

I live far away from my only close family - sometimes this feels like a major problem (mainly, I admit, for my brother's DIY skills).

Life is hard enough for all of us - but to continually fighting the demons that live in your head is exhausting. One day they may win.

[jakep]

Many years ago during a counselling session, I became upset and shouted that I wished I could rip my arm off so that the world could see how much pain I was in. One has to keep going but can be walking round the shops fighting the urge to hurt yourself.
I have encountered some stigma but mostly from people who are not important in my life. I have to say that my employers were always very understanding.
I do talk about my mental ill health, the same as my friend talks about her asthma. We both have a medical condition that can be treated, improve and then flatten us again.
Talking is very important - but so is listening.

[anneasquith]

some brave abers who have divulged their ' mental health illness '' well done ;)