Today is World Mental Health Day, and as it’s been a while since I blogged about my mental health I figured today was a good day to talk.

I am still very much medicated, and I have, after all my previously documented adventures of trying to give the meds up and swapping between them, come to terms with how much I need them.

I don’t need them because I’m pathetic or useless, I need them because I can’t produce all the chemicals I need to stay mentally balanced without their help. I need them to get me through daily life, in the same way as I needed painkillers to get me through daily life when I broke my finger. (First bone I have ever broken. Do not recommend. Much ow. Very nope.)

They don’t ‘fix’ me. I am still a puddle of anxious and have days where getting out of bed genuinely feels like an achievement. BUT they make it so I can get out of bed, and so I can get through the panic attacks and talk the anxiety down to a manageable level.

Amber and Chase help hugely. Animals bring me joy, furry snuggles calm me down, and getting out of the house every day even when I don’t want to because Chase needs a walk stops me from retreating from the world.

Helping out at Cubs has been one of the best things I have ever decided to do, even if some nights it does seem to last for ever because that’s what happens when you spend an evening with almost 30 7-10 year olds trying to do something constructive. But I do love it.

It is chaos, and deafeningly loud, but it’s an adventure, and most importantly my fellow leaders are all awesome people and being part of our Scouting family has got me through some rubbish mental health days.

Keeping busy, keeping myself occupied, being active, taking my meds, and talking to people – like you guys – all help to keep me centred and balanced, and help me to manage my mental health and help me to get out there and really live. Rather than just muddle along existing. (So thank you, for being you and for being here.)

If you are ever feeling wobbly, feel free to message me – if you want a chat, or just want to ramble/rant and need someone to nod along but not actually speak – I probably don’t have any useful answers, but I’m happy to listen.

If you need to talk to someone actually with training to deal with mental health crises, then here are some helplines available in the UK:

Samaritans: Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Call 116 123 (free from any phone). (There is also the Samaritans Welsh Language Line available 7pm-11pm every day on 0808 164 0123)

SANEline: For people experiencing a mental health problem or those supporting someone else through one. Available 4.30pm – 10.30pm every day. Call 0300 304 7000

National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK: A supportive listening service to anyone with suicidal thoughts, available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Call 0800 6895652.

CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably): If you are struggling and need to talk, available 5pm-Midnight every day. Call 0800 585858 or they also have a web chat service if you don’t want to speak on the phone.

Shout: If you prefer not to, or feel like you can’t, physically talk but still want some support, you can text SHOUT to 85258 to contact a free, confidential text service, available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

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Remember,

Today and always,