Mental health problems affect 1 in 4 people every year and no one should feel ashamed. By sharing our experiences, together we can end the stigma.

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It's not what it looks like - I have anxiety

Jenna Bella Oldridge, April 1, 2020

“Can you pull over by here please?” I ask the taxi driver. 

“Are you sure?” he replies, “because I can drop you at the gate?”

“No, by here is fine.” I tell him. I pay my fare and exit the car as quickly as possible, looking around to make sure none of my colleagues are about. 

I've gotten the taxi driver to drop me at the side of my workplace building, instead of at the front. This is to make sure less people see me arrive in a taxi.

There needs to be more acceptance of schizophrenia

John, March 26, 2020

My diagnosis is schizophrenia. I’ve had four catastrophic breakdowns in my lifetime; three of these were so severe that I was sectioned under the mental health act. However, for some 12 years during the intervening period of my 3rd and 4th breakdown, I was largely mentally healthy, engaging in relationships and work.

It was hard to open up, but the support from friends and family has been amazing

Elisha, March 19, 2020

I joined Time to Change movement in July 2019, which turned out to be the best decision of my life. I have been struggling with mental health for so many years and I have been receiving ongoing treatment for my anxiety, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Borderline Personality. Disorder (BPD) and depression. By sharing my experience of my diagnosis with other people, I feel that my mental health has been improving, and I feel that I am not the only one in the world who suffers.

My mental illness is my reality - it's not a choice

Debbie, March 6, 2020

I suffer from complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD), major depressive disorder (MDD) and anxiety, which at times makes my life difficult and unbearable.

I find that mental health is still a very taboo subject. Many people are still ignorant to mental health and don’t treat it seriously because it’s not really visible.

“Pull yourself together”

“Try harder”

“You CAN help it”

“It can’t be true”

“Put it behind you, it happened years ago”

…are only a few remarks I’ve heard. 

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