Mental Health (Page 3)

depression

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In: Health, Mental Health

I have been wanting to write this article for a while now, but fear of being called ‘overdramatic’ or inappropriate won over me. I also wanted to wait for the right time – a time where I can say that I am clinically diagnosed with depression, something that for some might not seem ‘huge’ or ‘important’. The term depression is used loosely on several occasions, including to explain how sad we are at the moment and how stressed we feel. In the past academic year, a lecturer actually pointed out to us students that by not knowing the answer to her question we would beRead More…

world suicide prevention day

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In: Health, Mental Health

The 10th of September is known as World Suicide Prevention Day – some may also look at the month of September as a month of awareness for such a matter. This day or month, depending on what way you’d like to see it, not only increases awareness, but also helps in diminishing the detrimental idea that talking to each other about mental health issues as well as suicide, is some sort of taboo. When speaking about such an important and life-threatening issue we helps in reducing the stigma and feelings of shame and at the same time reducing the risk. Communication is a very importantRead More…

mental illness

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In: Health, Mental Health

It is no secret that in Malta, public discussion about mental health (like many other topics that concern the well-being and fair treatment of others and our environment) is left wanting. Whilst there has been a general improvement in the discussion, and there have been an increasing number of educational campaigns occurring by non-profits such as the Richmond Foundation and media houses such as FreeHour, this is only the start. There is still a sense of shame and insensitivity that surrounds the topic of mental health and mental illness, and they need to be addressed as root causes of mental health stigma. One event displayingRead More…

walk and talk

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In: Health, Mental Health

I launched Walk and Talk one year ago in wanting to use my own personal experience and survival from severe Mental Health illness to prevent others from enduring this or help those who are. I had been fundraising for charities in the UK and then in Malta when I moved here in 2018 – The Samaritans UK, Dar Kenn Ghal Sahhtek and The Richmond Foundation. When my best friend who I fought beside in hospital lost her battle to mental health, I realised how lucky I was to survive and that I must use this pure understanding to create a support network for the communityRead More…

hypomania

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In: Health, Mental Health

I was diagnosed with Bipolar Type 2 at thirteen, after losing a good friend of ours tragically at school. I had taken it upon myself to listen to doctors and my family, to continue having a relatively normal life with friends and family. Not going to lie, it was no easy task at first; however, with time, balance came. That’s how I learned that structure and routine were a vital part of this. Later in life, at nineteen, I moved to London solo, to better myself after losing a dear, close family member— it had destroyed me. My emotions ran wild. This is it part of a maniaRead More…

perinatal mental health

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In: Health, Mental Health

Perinatal mental health problems occur during pregnancy or in the first year following the birth of a child. It affects up to 20% of new and expectant mothers and covers a wide range of conditions. Here is everything you need to know about perinatal mental health… The perinatal period refers to the time when a woman is pregnant and the first year following the birth of the baby. The personal journey a woman takes during pregnancy, childbirth and early motherhood is unique to her. This period can be the most challenging or rewarding experience in a woman’s life and during this time it is commonRead More…

dealing with mental health

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In: Health, Mental Health

Dealing with mental illness as a single mother can be tough, especially when your biggest fear is that of having your kids taken away from you if you attempt to seek psychological or psychiatric help… My marriage was a complete wreck, I had to walk out. When I finally found enough courage to leave with my four kids, I had to face new challenges. Broken as I was, I had to find a place to call home. Family and friends helped me out to find a place with low rent, they also helped me out with buying basic needs for the new home. I hadRead More…

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In: Health, Lived Experiences, Mental Health

I can’t breathe … That is the primary thought that races through my mind every time that I suffer an anxiety attack due to an anxiety disorder. Then my chest tightens, my heart starts racing, my body starts trembling, I have trouble focusing and I am filled with the most awful feeling of dread ever. At that moment in time, the world stops. Then I remember to breathe … slow breaths whilst holding myself tight … and my focus starts to come back. I open my tear-filled eyes and I can see the world again. Slowly, it all starts getting better again and I manageRead More…

post partum psychosis

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In: Health, Mental Health

My Journey Through Motherhood into Temporary Madness due to Post Partum Psychosis… I had never heard of post partum psychosis before, until it tried to ruin my life. My first-born was born by emergency c-section after a lengthy labour. I believe that the experiences I went through during the first few months after birth, worsened my mental health, which turned into a full-blown psychosis eight months later. My baby had been hospitalised three times during the first few months; stopping breast-feeding was a nightmare after returning to full-time work, and I had untreated depression and anxiety because I hadn’t sought help. Through all these upheavals,Read More…

healing from ptsd

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In: Health, Mental Health

Living with PTSD, anxiety and depression isn’t easy. This is the story about how PTSD, anxiety and depression almost took my life away… Living with PTSD, anxiety and depression isn’t easy. It’s struggling to get out of bed every morning, it’s going to work and faking a smile. It’s telling everyone you’re ok when you’re not, just because you do not want to hear ‘oh it’s just a bad day’ again. Feeling tired but not sleepy. Overthinking every little detail. Wondering if you’ve done something wrong, if you said the right thing or the ‘I should have’ or ‘I could have’ moments that constantly takeRead More…