Progress

I’m feeling rather optimistic, because slowly but surely people around me are finding out more about mental health. They know what I plan to do in school to reduce stigma and I think, well hope, that this is the start of a change, and more importantly a change that isn’t just powered by me, one that’s universal. 

Because in the past week or two weeks that I’ve been blogging and really starting to immerse myself in this whole blogging/ campaigning/ changing metal health world, there have been so many opportunities for me to talk to people that I wouldn’t necessarily talk to about mental health, and it’s amazing to be a part of. I can see them realising what’s happening and what needs to be done and how to do that, and that fills me with immense hope.

So despite all of the awful stuff in this world and in people’s individual worlds, I truly believe that better days are ahead. It may be hard for some people to see that, but all I know is that I had a time when I couldn’t see it. Now I’m better and already experiencing the better days, and no matter who you are and what you’re experiencing, it will be ok one day.

Seven months clean

I haven’t self harmed in exactly seven months today. And despite it not being a big milestone like a year or five years, it’s still rather important to me. Because as well as it showing how far I’ve come, it also shows how so many people haven’t come this far. And I don’t just mean other people with mental health problems. I mean people who need to accept them. 

In my year at school, there are many people who have eating disorders, are depressed and self harm and have even been suicidal. Tonight is the last night of term, and in celebration we are going to an all you can eat Chinese buffet, and then to watch ‘A Long Way Down’. It’s fundamentally a black comedy about suicide. 

I cannot even fathom the thoughts that are going through my head right now. If a single photo or quote or picture can be triggering for a suicial or depressed person, then why, why would the staff, who are well aware that many of the girls have these problems, choose to see a film in which suicide is a fundamental aspect throughout? 

And no adult noticed. I raised the problem with the staff, who in turn have now offered another choice of film. The problem is, people don’t want to change now, so people who are feeling depressed, suicidal or generally down are still going to see it. 

So I’m here feeling happy that I’ve reached seven months without self-harming, but for others it may only be the beginning. And this is why stigma needs to stop. 

Mental Health should be taught in schools.

I was recently introduced to this idea, and having thought about it I think that it is fundamental to reducing mental health stigma and increasing public acceptance. And having looked into it, I’ve found out that I’m not the only one who thinks so, which is awesome.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-23195837 (a link from BBC news about the charity Mindfull, who are campaigning for this).

So why have mental health lessons in schools? Putting it simply, schools aren’t doing enough to solve this issue. 1/3 adults don’t know the signs of depression in children, and 50% would be afraid of raising the issue with a child anyway. And why is this? Because of STIGMA.

So it’s simple. Teach mental health in schools. INSTANTLY REDUCE STIGMA. Students and teachers alike will be talking about it, discussing issues, sharing experiences and most importantly learning. Learning what mental illness actually is, how to recognise symptoms, how to support people who do have mental illnesses and how to help make school a more comfortable and mental health friendly place. And by teaching it to everyone, everyone benefits. It’s not just the people who are suffering that learn how to deal with their own and other people’s mental illnesses. Everyone, regardless of their mental health status can learn and benefit.

Schools have been teaching physical education for as long as anyone can remember. It’s now time for mental education to be added to the curriculum.