World mental health day

[Leyfy]

Today is world mental health day. I just wanted to check in and say that I hope everyone is okay and if you are struggling, please just talk to someone.

I've posted on here a few times about my dad - Monday next week is the 10 year anniversary of when he took his own life after a long battle with mental illness. He didn't (couldn't) ask for help - the outcome was that his depression was terminal. I can't describe the impact his death has had on my family. It's very true to say that none of us have been the same again.

I'm glad that being able to talk about mental health is starting to become more common, but I know we still have a long way to go.

I just wanted to post this as well:

[disney1st timer]

What a lovely, thoughtful post, I’m so sorry to hear about your dad. Unfortunately, there are still plenty of people out there that think it’s not a “real” illness and that makes it hard for the people who on the outside appear to be ok, to speak up. Let’s hope that changes. My auntie attempted to take her own life when she had three young children as well, terrible to think that people think that’s the only way out.

[Universal VR]

I’m sorry that you lost your dad like that. My daughter suffers with depression and she’s going through a bad patch right now. I’m terrified. Her dad had bipolar disorder and died six years ago in December. Mental illness will continue to be an illness that people can’t see and that’s why it’s so hard. There are those who choose not to believe it exists and those who live with the all too real consequences. My grandmother took her own life and the devastation it left is indescribable.