With the explosion of mental health in the media in recent years, an explosion of conversations has occurred. Whilst I will never say this is negative, the results of this is that significantly more people are identifying
themselves as having mental illness’. The pressure mental health services are under is exacerbated by this and as a result, these mental health teams are having to up their thresholds for support in order to stop themselves
being completely overwhelmed.

This results in it becoming harder than ever before to receive mental health support, particularly preventatively, as opposed to reactively when people find themselves in a crisis.

I know the courage it takes to open up about mental health difficulties, especially for the first time, yet this courage if often not met by support, but the insinuation that you’re not ‘unwell enough’ to receive any help. This can knock someone so far backwards they may never open up about this again, and as a result, many people experience a deterioration of their mental health until eventually, they reach crisis point and then need intervention.

This chain of events is common, but it’s easy to see the way forward. I’ve always been and always will be a strong believer that mental health services needs to focus more on prevention of mental ill-health, as opposed to just reacting in a crisis.

Imagine spending days, weeks, months fighting with yourself over the decision to seek support for poor mental health, only to be told that you cannot have this until you are so unwell that you cannot keep yourself safe and well.


I like many, many people, have been in this cycle. We know ourselves better than anyone, and we know when we need help and we know when things are not right, so all I ask, is that you please, please, believe me.

Stay Safe, K.

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