It was just a little more than a year ago year ago when people in this movement and many others used their experiences, voice and collective ‘muscle’ to stand up to two household names who were stocking offensive Halloween costumes with “mental patient” and “psycho ward” themes.
After so many years of working to improve public understanding and attitudes towards mental health problems and those of us with them, when the supermarkets withdrew the costumes, apologising and making donations this was an historic milestone. Becki Luscombe was at the very heart of this.
It’s been many years since I was diagnosed with clinical depression and although I have the tools to deal with it I don’t think I will ever be completely free of what I call my shadow. However, it’s important to remember that you can live and cope with it with the support of your family and those around you.
With the recent, tragic death of well known and much loved celebrity, Robin Williams, covered so extensively in the media, I have noticed family and friends slowly coming to realise that mental health problems can be experienced by anyone. While the detailed reporting in this case was a little concerning, overall I feel the way in which the media tells these unfortunate stories seems to have changed dramatically in recent years.
I have experienced discrimination and stigma when telling people about my mental health condition (Borderline Personality Disorder, BPD), sometimes with soul destroying consequences.
It’s been many years since I was diagnosed with clinical depression and although I have the tools to deal with it I don’t think I will ever be completely free of what I call my shadow. However, it’s important to remember that you can live and cope with it with the support of your family and those around you. 
With the recent, tragic death of well known and much loved celebrity, Robin Williams, covered so extensively in the media, I have noticed family and friends slowly coming to realise that mental health problems can be experienced by anyone. While the detailed reporting in this case was a little concerning, overall I feel the way in which the media tells these unfortunate stories seems to have changed dramatically in recent years.