"I’m so sick of the fact that it’s 2016 and there is still so much stigma around mental health"
With the national average of 1 in 3 people in the UK suffering at some point in their lives from a form of mental health problems, it is appalling that society still stigmitises the issue of mental health.
How often in the workplace do you hear the words " Oh she's only putting it on to get time off work!" or " No such thing as chronic fatigue or depression, she's just lazy!"
Such attitudes prevails unfortunately amongst many who are lucky enough not to be suffering from anxiety, depression, or CFS or indeed any form of mental health issues - one day it may well be them!
So sick of such attitudes, one very brave woman has recently spoken out via her Facebook page and also to the Independent newspaper. In an article published on 10th April, Amber Smith told the reporter:
“I have been battling anxiety for and depression for years and years and there’s still people that make comments like ‘you’ll get over it’, ‘you don’t need tablets, just be happier.’”
The article goes on:
She encouraged sufferers to find the courage to ask for help, saying:
“To anyone who is going through the same, please do not suffer in silence. There is so much support around."
Ms Smith also stressed the value of kindness, and the importance of withholding judgement on others and treating them as equals.
“Don’t bully others, don’t put others down and the hardest one of them all (as we have all done it at some point) don’t judge another person," she said.
“We’re all human regardless of age, race, religion, wealth, job. So build one another up instead of breaking each other down.”
The newspaper article ended with these sobering words:
More than eight million people in the UK suffer with an anxiety disorder, and women in England are twice as likely to suffer from anxiety compared to men.
Here is exactly what Amber Smith wrote on her FB page, and the accompanying pictures she posted, show just what we do as human beings to hide from the rest of the world, just what we are often suffering behind closed doors and in silence.
Place your mouse cursor on the pic below to see the two faces of a woman suffering from anxiety and panic attacks.
Ambers Facebook page:
News Feed
Amber Smith
3 April at 14:28 · Rugby ·
God knows why I'm doing this, but people need some home truths..
Top picture: What I showcase to the world via social media. Dressed up, make up done, filters galore. The 'normal' side to me.
Bottom picture: Taken tonight shortly after suffering from a panic attack because of my anxiety. Also the 'normal' side to me that most people don't see.
I'm so sick of the fact that it's 2016 and there is still so much stigma around mental health. It disgusts me that so many people are so uneducated and judgemental over the topic. They say that 1 in 3 people will suffer with a mental illness at some point in their life. 1 in 3! Do you know how many people that equates to worldwide?! And yet I've been battling with anxiety and depression for years and years and there's still people that make comments like 'you'll get over it', 'you don't need tablets, just be happier', 'you're too young to suffer with that'
FUCK YOU. Fuck all of you small minded people that think that because I physically look 'fine' that I'm not battling a monster inside my head every single day.
Someone actually said this to me one day 'aren't you too young to be suffering with anxiety and depression? What do you actually have to be depressed about at your age?' Wow, just wow.~
I'm a strong person, I've been through my fair share of crap in life (the same as anyone else) and I will be okay. I have the best family and friends around me and I am thankful everyday that they have the patience to help and support me.
To anyone who is going through the same, please do not suffer in silence. There is so much support around - Don't be scared to ask for help.
This is why I can't stress enough that it costs nothing to be nice to others. Don't bully others, don't put others down and the hardest one of them all (as we have all done it at some point) don't judge another person. We're all human regardless of age, race, religion, wealth, job. So build one another up instead of breaking each other down.
Peace & love guys ☮❤
EDIT: Please don't be afraid to share this, there needs to be more awareness. The more awareness there is, the less people who will suffer in silence.
Source: Amber Smith / Independent
