Shellshellstipsandtricks posted: " World Mental Health Day was observed on Sunday October 10th this year. I know I'm a little late, hence my blog name, Michelle's Crazy busy life. My life is crazy busy. World Mental Health Day, was created to raise awareness of mental issues all over "
World Mental Health Day was observed on Sunday October 10th this year. I know I'm a little late, hence my blog name, Michelle's Crazy busy life. My life is crazy busy.
World Mental Health Day, was created to raise awareness of mental issues all over the globe. I think that is outstanding. There are many misinterpretations when it comes to mental health and a lack of understanding.
I remember my Mom telling me about how her Mom, (my Grandma), struggled with mental health after her Dad died. My Grandma lost her husband when my Mom was 8. It was 1960 and she had three young kids to raise. My Mom told me my Grandma slept all the time, and they had to force my Grandma to drive them to her relatives house to get help, because she wasn't watching her brothers and sisters. My Grandma was in the hospital for a month, and had shock treatment. I learned about shock treatment in psychology. It doesn't work and is no longer used. Back in that day, they didn't have treatment and they didn't have awareness. I am thankful that I am alive in this day and age, and that I am able to receive treatment.
Mental illness runs in families. I have anxiety and depression in my family. I started having panic attacks when I was 17 years old and they got worse when I was 18 and 19, fresh out of High School, and going into the real world. I would go to the hospital thinking that I couldn't breathe and I thought my whole world was crashing down on me. After three years of suffering, I started taking an antidepressant, and noticed a huge improvement. Some people in my family still don't understand this need for medication due to anxiety, and I don't tell friends or co workers either, because there is a stigma, and people are still ignorant and uneducated about mental illness. So this is a great awareness day to have. I've taken my medicine at work before and had a co-worker tell me that is what "crazy people take". There is so much ignorance. Luckily we live in this day in age and can get help. My brother suffers from depression and doesn't get help. Oh the help he can get, and have such a better quality of life!
I've know people over the years that have taken their life, this is so devastating. I remember having a neighbor boy take his life at the age of 16, and a classmate when I was in High School. I get emails from my kids schools about how one of the kids at schools has taken their life. This crushes me. This is a serious problem. I wish they would reach out, get help, and they could have a better quality of life.
What can you do if you are struggling with depression and anxiety?
Get help! You can get cognitive behavioral therapy from a psychologist. Got to the doctor, it may be bio-chemical. Medication may help, but don't replace any medical advice I say without consulting a doctor. See if there are support groups in your area.
There is hope, and there is help! Don't give up. I've struggled with anxiety and depression all my life, and have come a long, long way! If you are struggling there is hope to a better life.
Here are some Crisis Hotlines:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:
800-273-8255
SAMHSA's National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357) Facing mental health crisis or addiction.
National sex assult hotline: 1-800-656-4673
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Helpline. (800) 662-4357.
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