So the start of another Mental Health Awareness week and me trying to write something vaguely interesting and relevant every day. I think today I'll talk about awareness, and in particular how you become properly aware of mental health challenges, what they feel like, how they manifest themselves and how you can help someone who may be struggling. I don't actually know if there is a magic bullet for this. You can be aware of how hard it must be to walk up the stairs with a broken leg because we've all hurt our legs at sometime, you can understand how it feels to have the flu and how you just want to stay in bed all day.
Empathy is easier when you've had experience, but with mental health its often harder because of how the conditions are often unseen and very often hidden due to the stigma. One excellent way you can understand more and raise awareness is by learning more about (and hopefully becoming) a mental health first aider Educating enough people means we will get to a tipping point (not like the terrible ITV 'quiz' show) where mental health becomes normal, and we don't need awareness weeks because its just an accepted part of who we all are. But until then, do some learning or listening or do some sharing Take care Paul
1 Comment
Christine Addis
5/15/2018 12:09:57 am
Very good points Paul.
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