Good day to all my valued readers and happy Mental Health Awareness Month.

As stated in a post a couple of weeks ago, I have decided to run with the abovementioned theme in recognition of World Mental Health Day on Wednesday 10^th October and do my part in helping to eradicate the stigma that unfortunately still surrounds mental illness. Thankfully, that stigma is on the decline; however, people still need to be educated it would seem.

I, like so many people out there, was sceptical for the longest time as regards mental health. I felt that depression was over-diagnosed when all people really needed to do was be a little proactive in making changes to their lives. I still do believe that people should be proactive in making changes to their lives when they feel depressed, but I now realise the issue can run a lot deeper than merely feeling a bit sad or fed up with life. I also realise there are many more levels to things like depression and anxiety than may meet the eye. Both of those ‘buzzwords’ are umbrella terms with a great many subcategories falling under each. These conditions can be especially crippling to the host in ways that many of us may not even have considered.

I have my own personal journey where mental health is concerned. Several people close to me are suffering in one way or another, some more so than others. I’m suffering myself. It took me a long time to fully admit that I was suffering. I’ll talk more about my experiences as the month goes on.

In recent times, I’ve attended a variety of different seminars with mental health the theme and advice on how to fight certain ailments given. I look to pass on some of the knowledge I’ve gleaned in the coming weeks. I’ve also just signed up to a course to attain a Level 2 qualification in Mental Health Awareness, which I’m hoping will educate me further and assist as I look to maybe forge some kind of career where mental health is concerned, counselling my number one choice.

For now, I hope you’ll show your support for what’s to come and maybe even develop an understanding as to exactly why I even write at all. There will be links on each post to various sources of advice and help should you require them, not to mention mental health charities you can donate to if you feel so inclined. I shall also be including links to mental health bloggers, all of whom have profound and alarming stories to tell about their struggles.

Thank you in advance for any support and contributions you offer.