Mental Illness in Pictures | Sociable7

Mental illness is often invisible. Do you ever wonder what it may feel like?
The stigma needs to stop.

Depression

Anxiety – Trapped

OCD

Paranoia

Schizophrenia

Addiction

Anorexia

Anxiety – Worry

Social Anxiety

 Post Traumatic Stress

Insecurity

Bipolar

Stress

I recently went to a mental health workshop. Many of us either deny or ignore the existence of mental illness. But the truth is, it exists. We all have physical health, whether it’s a broken limb or the common cold, and likewise we all have mental health. It is reported 1 in 4 people suffer from some form of Mental Illness, with the most common being depression and anxiety.  50% of people develop some form of illness by the age of 14 but that does not mean you can’t develop something later in life.

We eat fruit, drink water, and exercise regularly to keep our physical bodies intact, here are 5 ways to maintain a healthy well-being:

  • Connections (As humans we need to feel close and valued)
  • Be active – Walks in park, kayaking, horse riding
  • Take notice – Be present – No phones, no texting, talk in person, appreciate people
  • Learn – Continued learning keeps the mind active
  • Give – Get involved in community work

Otherwise, you may know someone who suffers from a mental illness, the Mental Health First Aid charity Provides this 5 step action plan:

  1. Ask good quality questions that are timed and relevant to assess risk of harm
  2. Listen non-judgmentally
  3. Give reassurance (Stats, Philosophically, Solutions available)
  4. Encourage appropriate professional help – (HELP Charity, Rethink Charity)
  5. Encourage self-help and other support strategies

One of the most helpful ways you can help someone suffering is by smiling, a simple non-judgmental sincere smile can light up a person inside, often such emotional contentment leads to a road of recovery.

This link provides recognised Mental Health illnesses – A to Z Mental Health