HEALTH STARTS WITH
HELP SPEAKING UP CAN BE THE FIRST STEP TOWARDS IMPROVING YOUR MENTAL HEALTH a Fixers project by Kirstie Stage
Hi, I’m Kirstie, (17)
I’m keen to reach out to any young people experiencing mental health issues to show that they are not alone and help is available. Working with Fixers, the campaign that gives young people a voice, I led a team of my friends to create this booklet.. Using personal accounts of mental health problems, we hope to encourage others to speak out about their own issues. Too many people suffer in silence; I want to eradicate the social stigma that exists around mental health.
- Kirstie stage How often have you heard, “I know what you are going through”? In my opinion, it can come across as patronising and thoughtless, but I’ve found that people only say it when they are trying to help or relate to you and your difficult situation. I hope that the accounts in this booklet can act as a friend that wants to share the burden you may be feeling..
- Dominic
A FEW YEARS AGO, I STARTED TO NOTICE THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH MY EATING HABITS... I would sometimes eat loads and then hardly anything at all. In 2014, I had my ’final‘ knee operation and was told in the future I would not be able to join the army, which was my dream job. The disappointment hit me in a strange way... In April 2015, my eating habits got worse. I was anxious about going to school and developed a huge phobia of being sick (I thought if I don’t eat, I won’t be sick). I met a boy who made me feel amazing, but one day I went to meet him in town and my anxiety just went sky high so I didn’t eat at all. My weight plummeted and on September 11, 2015 I was admitted to an adolescent mental health unit. It was so helpful and helped me to get well. After six weeks, I was discharged. I then received help from family therapy, a sociologist, doctor, support worker and dietitian. They were brilliant and I want to thank them all for saving my life. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be here now. Today I’m nearly 18 years old and my weight has increased. I do still have days where I don’t want to eat but I’ve learnt how to push through it and carry on. I would say to anyone suffering with mental health issues, speak out and don’t keep it to yourself. You can be helped, everyone is worth it.
I survived, so can you.
- Carrie Johnson
I HAVE STRUGGLED WITH MY MENTAL HEALTH FOR A LONG TIME, SINCE I WAS ABOUT TEN YEARS OLD... It all started with me ‘kicking off’ at really silly things like getting a word wrong in a lesson. It was really strange. I didn’t want to talk at all. I just wanted to end everything. It was at the age of 15 that things became serious...
...I STARTED TO SELF-HARM.
The stigma around self-harming was massive, and still is. I wanted to hide my struggles, I didn’t want people to find out that I was cutting myself. Now I’m 17, and I’ve finally been diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. I’m now ready to talk.
Don’t be afraid to speak out. - Anon, 18, South Devon
When it comes to dealing with my mental health issues, I personally use music as an outlet and encourage others to do the same. I write as much music as I can, because it helps me to express my emotions and get rid of the negative feelings I hold. So, I was asked how I ‘overcame’ the difficulties with my mental health. But, the truth is…
...I FIGHT MY MIND EVERY DAY.
- Anon, 18, Swanage
Personally, I’ve tried to steer away from medication and concentrate instead on different therapies and doing educational courses like ‘Emotional Coping Skills’ and ‘Dialectical Behavioural Therapy’. They are designed to give me a tool box that I can use when I’m struggling. They help me to understand my emotions better and give me an opportunity to meet other like-minded people.
I’m still a long way off from being recovered but there are therapies, counselling and charities out there that can help.
- Anon, 28, Bournemouth
THERE’S NO ONE THAT CAN FOX LIKE YOU, THERE’S NO ONE THAT WEARS SOCKS LIKE YOU, THAT LOOKS INSIDE A BOX LIKE YOU...
. . .or thinks about giraffes like you, There’s no one that can chance like you, no one that can dance like you. No one that can talk like you, and no one that can hear like you. There’s no one that can look like you, there’s no one that can cook like you. Or dream about the things you do, there’s no one else that thinks like you. There’s no one else that hides like you, there’s no one else that finds like you.
There’s no one that can sneeze like you, there’s no one that can please like you. There’s no one else can draw like you, sing and act and clap like you, there’s no one else can write like you, scream and shout and speak like you, there’s no one else can green like you, or red or pink or blue like you. No-one else in tune like you, blowing up balloons like you, no-one on the moon like you knowing all the things you do. . .
...THERE’S NO ONE WHO IS YOU LIKE YOU, WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW, YOU’RE AMAZING!
- George Morehead
YOU DON’T HAVE TO DEAL WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES ON YOUR OWN There are always steps you can take to access free help from people who are experienced, trustworthy and will not judge you! Don’t be afraid to speak to a trusted adult such as a teacher, a youth worker or a GP. It may feel like you are troubling them, or you may feel scared as to how they’ll react, but, chances are, they’ve helped someone just like you in a similar situation. There is always help available.
samaritans.org youngminds.org.uk time-to-change.org.uk YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
This booklet features the experiences of young people, and should not be relied upon or substitute for medical advice.