Best Of

The user and all related content has been deleted.

@Past User Of course! Anything I can do to help! I’ve actually been to my doctor about my mental health struggles. They will most probably resort first to medication, but do know if you don’t want to take medication that is completely fine. Don’t do anything you’re not comfortable with, this is your journey and your feelings and choices are valid. It’s also quite common for some anti-depressants not to work for some people, so try not to feel disheartened if they don’t take.

The doctors may also signpost you to any mental health services within your local area. These might be services that provide support by contacting you regularly to check in, or counselling services within the area. It’s important to note that some of these services again, may not be best suited for you but just make sure to keep letting your doctor know if you’re finding something isn’t working so they can change it accordingly to best benefit you!

Of course it’s also important that if you feel dismissed or that your doctor isn’t listening to you and doing what you’ve asked, you can always change doctors. I know this can be very anxiety provoking and worrying but it’s better you change to someone whose invested in your health and well-being

I completely understand, and I am really sorry to hear that you went through this. I think unfortunately that’s a common problem with mental health support. Hopefully that will change soon but please know you’re not alone ever, and I know it can feel overwhelming and upsetting when no support is available, but it’s not a reflection on your or your mental health . Sometimes it can be difficult to see that when it feels like the whole world is against you, but you are doing the best you can and that’s not a small feat when dealing with mental illnesses. The fact you are actively thinking about accessing support is so amazing and commendable!

Do whatever you feel will most benefit you, but also know we’re all here within the community to provide you support whilst you’re waiting for this! If you ever need to just let things out, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Happy Saturday all!

Hope you’re having a really lovely weekend so far. Just popping on to maybe start a new thread of any positive self-care you do that helps soothe your mind and body.

I think this is a great way to reach others and help each other finding something that is really soothing and can help you wind down and relax, particularly when going through difficult times or emotions.

I’ll start: I normally like to light some really nice smelling candles (I’m really loving pine and clean cotton right now), get under a warm blanket and read some fiction (I’m reading Midnight Sun at the moment). This helps me escape reality just for a little while and helps me feel more calm and safe.

Glad they have been helpful Here is another one, it may take a bit longer to create, but also could be quite a good thing to distract yourself in making these.

Little Envelopes

Start by writing down some of the following on pieces of paper:

• positive quotes or things that have meaning to you.
• positive affirmations
• things about yourself that you feel proud of or things that people you trust have told you you should feel proud of.
• names and contact details of support services or people that you trust who you would want to reach out to when you are struggling and write down 'call x person or helpline'.

Get creative in decorating or doodling on these as well. Make sure you have enough space to cut each of these statements out.

You can pick up some little envelopes from most stationary shops (they are often called payslip or wage envelopes)

Put one of your quotes in each envelope and seal them. On the front, write things like:

• Open me when I need to feel proud
• Open me when I need to feel brave
• Open me when I don't feel strong
• Open me when I need help

Then make sure that you put these in a place where you know where they are and they are easy to get to. When you are having a bad day, you then have some small things that may put a smile on your face or give you the courage to do what you need to do to get support. This could also be a really lovely and cheap present idea to make for a friend