This is my third attempt at writing this. I normally write, think about it for a bit, edit, then publish. But this one is causing me grief (absolutely no pun intended).
It’s Mental Health Awareness Week.
I’ve never been depressed in my life. Pissed-off, yes. Heartbroken, yes. Soul-weary, yes. Fed-up to the back teeth, yes. Menopausal, yes. Never depressed. I don’t know why this is – maybe I’m just lucky, or maybe it’s more accurate to say ‘I’ve never been depressed – yet’.
But that doesn’t mean that depression hasn’t had a profound effect on my life. So for all the people out there who are very very aware of mental health, because they live with someone who suffers from mental ill health – this is for you. This is to tell you that it’s OK –
It’s OK to look after yourself.
It’s OK to do the things you want to do – alone if you have to.
It’s OK to fix your own oxygen mask first.
It’s OK to say shout ‘This is my life too!!’
It’s OK to be pissed off that they’re not OK.
It’s OK to carry on trying to help them even though you don’t know if it’s really helping.
It’s OK to make them go to the doctors even though they don’t think it will help (and you’re not even sure yourself).
It’s OK to set boundaries.
It’s OK to refuse to be dragged down.
It’s OK to be you.
It’s OK to ask for help.
It’s OK to have fun.
It’s OK to tell someone how you feel. If you don’t have someone in your life that you feel you can tell (or even if you do), http://www.mypartnerisdepressed.com is a good place to go.
It’s OK to ask for help.
It’s OK to be happy.
It’s way more than OK – it’s essential.
So, to everyone out there who is, literally, living with depression – this is for you. Be you. Be happy.
I know it’s easier said than done. But I also know that our own mental health depends on it. If this has helped you even just a little bit to know that YOU are important too, please share it with other people who might also need a little bit of help.
If this has resonated with you in any way, please Follow, Share and Like, or email this to a friend.
I always reply to comments from nice people.
