Flourish - Latest Edition - Flipbook - Page 21
I know when I look at my mental
health journey, it hasn’t been the most
linear process. Each day is different.
Sometimes there are ups. Sometimes
there are downs. But acting on your
feelings and not letting them build up
until they pervade your entire
existence is key. I’m not trying to be
hyperbolic, but sometimes, when
faced with a mental health condition,
it can feel all-consuming.
Why A Mental Health
Diagnosis Doesn’t Define
You
Stress. Anxiety. Depression. Many of
us may experience these disorders,
whether they’re minor or severe.
Regardless of where you sit on the
mental health spectrum, seeking
support is the only way forward.
Suppressing your feelings and not
acting can lead to significant
repercussions. Health Direct explains
that hiding your emotions may
increase feelings of isolation and may
exacerbate mental health issues.
"A diagnosis is a call to action, not
your identity" - Cate Page.
This quote from our brilliant CCO
rings true. When I look back on my
journey, I buried how I felt for many
years. I thought I wasn't allowed to
feel how I felt because I had a good
childhood, a good job, and loving
relationships. Yet, that’s not the case.
Mental health does not discriminate.
Anyone and everyone can succumb to
the mental health gremlins that wiggle
their way into your mind. That’s when I
pushed myself to seek a diagnosis.
It was a confronting experience.
Hearing that there’s something wrong
wasn’t the best news to receive on a
brisk Saturday morning. However, it
was the first step to finding myself
again. But that was just the beginning.
I needed to act on my diagnosis,
realise that it doesn’t define me, and
then seek support. And I’m glad to say
that as a result, I’ve found that
healthier me. It’s an uphill battle with
many twists and turns. And honestly,
it’ll be the same for most of you. But
that action was the first step to
recovery.
Breaking Down Mental
Health Stigmas
Stigmatisation and discrimination are
bells that toll for those who feel some
form of mental ill-health. As a male,
I’ve experienced a range of stigmas in
my journey:
