1 in 4 people will suffer with mental health problems, not being able to talk about it or being taken seriously is one of the worst parts of the illness, with feelings of being isolated and alone.
Mental health problems e.g. low mood, low self-esteem, anger, depression and anxiety is something that can affect us all from time to time.
Five warning signs of mental health problems are:
If you experience any of the above as well as speaking to a qualified counsellor you should also consult with your GP.
Talking about how you feel isn’t a sign of weakness, it’s part of taking charge of your well-being and doing what you can to stay mentally healthy.
Mental health problems if not addressed can lead to thoughts of wanting to end our lives and suicide is the most common cause of death for men aged 20-49.
Talking about your feelings with a qualified counsellor can help shed a light on how we can get through a problem. There will always have been problems in our lives from time to time but we don’t always have the capacity to get through them by ourselves.
No matter how you feel ‘good’ or ‘bad’ it’s healthy to put your feelings into words. Talking about our thoughts and feelings helps us makes sense of things and gain a better understanding of ‘what’s behind it’, ‘what drives it’ and ‘what keeps it going’, it can bring us closer to people who care and bring about stronger relationships. It can make us feel stronger, build resilience and self-control when we feel overwhelmed, mad or upset.
If we don’t talk about our thoughts and feelings this does not necessarily mean we are strong. In fact the pitfalls are that those feelings become ‘bottled up’ and can either consciously or unconsciously trigger worry and upset, increasing stress levels which can manifest into anxiety and/or psychosomatic symptoms that impact the immune system and become physical ailments in the body. Also they can severely affect our emotions, our actions, our behaviour towards others and our decision making, ultimately impacting on our day to day lives.
I was really unwell then I found Sarah, and despite my issues, she quickly built a good rapport with me - the first session felt like she'd been my therapist for ages, and I knew she would be able to help me. Previous therapists wouldn't work with me because of my diagnosis, and Sarah was the first therapist I had that I felt saw me as a person, instead of a list of conditions. She helped me through bullying, job loss, the start of a university degree, moving house, placement and the breakdown of a romantic relationship. During my time with her, she helped me grow as a person, instilling confidence and assertiveness, believed what I said (and how I felt about it), and ultimately gave me the strength to ask for the respect I deserved - which has continues to benefit me in so many ways. If I am in need of therapy again in the future, Sarah will be my first call.
Best wishes
Aine