20/07/2020
I just read a post about the su***de rates that have gone up since COVID lock-downs. it was said that over 1000 people have taken their lives since lock-down, but you don't hear this on the news...
I experience anxiety and I always have. I'd feel so fu***ng awkward in all social situations (except when I drank), I would go bright red and feel so less than and ashamed. This started at a young age and still happens to me today even though I am more able to manage my anxiety.
I started my therapy journey in 2017. At that time I had a really supportive manager at work and I was able to share these feelings of anxiety and stress that I would feel. Unfortunately it can be a real gamble sharing these feelings with people, especially in a work situation, but I was supported and cared for. I was able to focus on my mental health and had regular check-in's with my manager to see how I was going and what support I needed.
I did a Mental Health First Aid course which was offered at my work. One of the stats said that experiencing severe anxiety is on par with someone that has lost their sight. Obviously they are so different, but studies have shown that the struggles are the same.
Mental Health is so often not talked about, yet it's something that pretty much all have experienced, in varying degrees...
Anyway, to cut an already long post short - Mental Heath MATTERS! As part of the 12 step program I am in, it is suggested to reach out to at least 3 people everyday to see how they are doing and how we can be of service. I'm definitely not perfect at doing this, but reaching out to people in our lives is important. Lets check in, let's have the deep and 'difficult' conversations, let's support each other
