Laura

World Mental Health day today. Still too many people struggling, still too many people who won't tell a friend, family member or reach out to one of the great charities who are all on this app. Too many people taking their own life when reaching out and talking in many cases leads to better days. Trust me, I've been there, literally at the end of a rope, stopped, went to see my late Mum, cried a river and started a conversation. Men between 40 and 65 are the group that notoriously don't talk. Too much bravado, too much pride, still too many saying "pull your socks up and get in with it". Often you just can't. So right now, if you're struggling, drop your pal a message. "I'm struggling pal, got 5 mins for a chat?". You'll be surprised what happens and may point to that message as a starting point. There's millions of us who struggle regularly, with anxiety, depression, real stuff that destroys from the inside. Not feeling down for a day, anxiety that cripples, energy levels that crash and a suffocating malaise you feel you'll never get out of. You will, and you can, and you must. For yourself, your pals, your Brother, Sister, Mum and Dad, but overwhelmingly for yourself. 1 in 3 struggle with mental health issues at some time in my life. I've had people who mocked mine only to say "I'm struggling" years down the line. Poor mental health can visit anyone, just like poor physical health can. Drop a pal or a sibling or even a stranger like me a message, that one deed alone means you're half way there and you can start to talk. Anxiety and depression love being locked on your head with nowhere to go, and anyone who knows will nod on agreement. Stand up, reach out and see where it takes you. You owe yourself that. #mentalhealth