MENTAL HEALTH

[Abigail09]

Hello everyone,
I would like to discuss this but you are also welcome to just read.
Mental health is important to everyone.
As nurse and writer, I try my best to advise and encourage people not to joke with their mental health.
That's one of the major reasons I post things like 'What do you do when you are stressed?' and the likes here.
For writers, mental health is also important.
Writers experience what is called the 'writer's block' and it can be worrisome or depressing at times.


SHORT STORY
My friend recently had a close call with depression. I'm saying this for you to understand that it can creep on anyone.
So, she had already started making plans to 'GO'. It was that serious. She felt like she was choking.
I honestly didn't know how to react at first when I discovered. I mean she is a Nurse and a lecturer, married (husband traveled) and has two kids. It was unexpected.
I later discovered why she was having such thoughts and I felt stuck because I couldn't even make the problem go away.
So I started with encouragements, lots of it, giving her motivational talks hoping that something would change.
Then it got worse, she had stopped eating for almost a week. I noticed because she lost weight so rapidly (she isn't a big eater). I knew that the encouragements were not really working as fast as I wanted them to.
Following that, I decided to also talk to her about the consequences of 'GOING' the way she wanted to.
Started with kids and so many things that would fall apart if she did it.
I just had to do something more, she had stopped eating.
Lo and behold, the consequences stuck.
The next time I visited, she kept talking about the consequences while looking at her two little kids.
I told her how she had punished herself enough for what she felt she did wrong or the things she regretted or what was not working out. It was enough.
Honestly, this particular friend of mine is not someone I ever thought would be in that state. She is the type of person that was always all smiles and would literally make my day with her kind words and all of a sudden;this. Her face had become pale, she had lost weight and she wasn't walking straight (she said she couldn't carry herself).
When we hear mental health , its not attributed to some people. Like I said, it can creep on anyone.
We all experience stress and as much as some people manage their stress well some others are 'a work in progress' regarding that (including me).
As for my friend,its still a journey but she knows now why she has to get better. She has to. She has two beautiful children.

Sometimes, what someone might need is another telling them why they 'shouldn't'...
I think regarding my friend, my fear when I got to know was that I couldn't afford to lose her.
So, even when we cannot see the signs that people are going through such mental health issues, the best thing is just to spread nothing but love and light.
Make someone smile . Say nice words to people. Compliment them when they don't expect it. You just might be saving someone.

BE SAFE



Please feel free to share your opinions, suggestions, criticisms as well as experiences. I will be happy to see them. Not just me, everyone!
**Don't forget yourself when you care for others**

[Alyssa]

I'm sorry about your friends struggle. I have found people who can't live for themselves can (most times) live for others whom they love. While it is difficult for the person with depression/suicidal thoughts to come to that decision. I am learning that people don't want to actually end their lives, it is their suffering they want to end. It is helpful when people around them are able to notice the signs and step up to the plate to help. I'm glad your friend has someone like you in her life. Thank you.

[Abigail09]

I'm sorry about your friends struggle. I have found people who can't live for themselves can (most times) live for others whom they love. While it is difficult for the person with depression/suicidal thoughts to come to that decision. I am learning that people don't want to actually end their lives, it is their suffering they want to end. It is helpful when people around them are able to notice the signs and step up to the plate to help. I'm glad your friend has someone like you in her life. Thank you.

You are very right. It is the suffering. Thank You for saying this. Very much appreciated

[Alyssa]

You are most welcome. Your story is touching and it’s an important topic.

[JessWrites]

Hello there, Abigail. I am glad that you shared this. How is your friend doing? Granted, this is not a typical place where you encounter these kinds of posts, but I feel that it is all the more reason that these real-life cases should be put out there more for everyone to be aware. I am glad to hear that you've tried to be supportive and reliable for your friend, but I do URGE you to at least suggest to her to seek psychological help. Go together, if need be. Clearly, she has intentions of ending it then and there, and like a ticking time bomb, it's only a matter of when she may actually succeed in doing it. Please, don't hesitate to look for help where it is given. Therapists and counselors alike are there for your friend. I hope she'll do well.

[Abigail09]

Hello there, Abigail. I am glad that you shared this. How is your friend doing? Granted, this is not a typical place where you encounter these kinds of posts, but I feel that it is all the more reason that these real-life cases should be put out there more for everyone to be aware. I am glad to hear that you've tried to be supportive and reliable for your friend, but I do URGE you to at least suggest to her to seek psychological help. Go together, if need be. Clearly, she has intentions of ending it then and there, and like a ticking time bomb, it's only a matter of when she may actually succeed in doing it. Please, don't hesitate to look for help where it is given. Therapists and counselors alike are there for your friend. I hope she'll do well.

Yes. Thank You. She is getting better now . Its a process but she is much better and I am thankful for that. Honestly, there is need for more awareness. Mental health is a very serious issue. Thanks for your input. Appreciated

[Maddie Atkinson]

Hi there, I hope your friend is doing better, I am sorry that she went through that. I also struggle with depression and several other disorders and there are so many stigmas around it. While they are sad to read, stories like these help raise awareness about how serious it can become, and awareness is what is needed to break the stigma. If you have disorders, or are just struggling, YOU ARE VALID, you can reach out to people, they will help you, I promise, there are people out there who care about you, and it will get better!!!