Important Links for Sufferers of Mental Health Conditions
I, as everyone, was saddened to hear of Chester Bennington's loss of life to depression on Thursday morning. My thoughts extend to the Linkin Park singer's family and friends at this difficult time.
The sad truth is that this particular instance of death is not atypical to those we often see today. The alarming truth is that around 6,000 people in the UK alone will take their life each year, according to a study by Samaritans. And with statistics suggesting that approximately one third of all people will suffer from a mental health condition in their lifetime, there is no reason to suggest why this figure is not set to increase in the foreseeable future.
One of the worst things about mental illness, in my opinion, is that it can strip away the logic from your mentality. It blinds you to the support that truly surrounds you, and inflicts you with damaging, often self critical thoughts. It's common to feel as if your feelings are so peculiar that nobody would be able to understand or relate to you, and I can honestly say this has been a problem for myself at times. Hence, I'd like to recommend some sites that have been of use to myself and some of my peers, that you might find beneficial to either yourself or someone you know (I'm sure the fact you thought of them would mean a lot to them especially).
MindMate
This site, created by the NHS, is targeted at young people aged between 14-25 years which seeks to offer age-appropriate advice surrounding the support that is available to young
people; as well as specific tips on how to deal with particular issues (such as self-harm, bereavement and bullying) or one's mental wellbeing in general. The games section of the website can often be seen as more agreeable to those that wish to seek a solution without trawling through long pages of text.
7 Cups of Tea
This is a free online therapy service, upon which you can discuss mental health issues or other problems, regarding relationships, for example. The site hosts volunteering 'listeners' of different backgrounds who will talk to you one-on-one within a conversation led by yourself. Also available on the site are a number of self help guides specific to particular issues or conditions. The service is available either through the hyperlinked website or via the 7 Cups of Tea app, available for free on the App Store or Google Play Store.
Samaritans
The site offers mediums of contacting a member of the Samaritans team to discuss your mental health issues, as well as informing visitors of some note-worthy signs you may be struggling to cope.
Mind
Mind offer endless guidance to sufferers of mental health conditions, through self help guides, essential information surrounding the different types of potential treatments that can be used for mental illnesses and the Elefriends forums, where you can discuss your problems with like-minded individuals eager to express their own issues and offer individual advice.
If you're struggling, please open up to someone. A doctor, a friend, a teacher, a relative, an anonymous forum; any mean that feels most comfortable. The devastating impact of the recent death of Chester Bennington seeks to accentuate the importance of doing so.
I must add that anyone is also more than welcome to contact me through my blog to discuss anything in confidence at any point, I would love to be of help to anyone in any way that I can.
Can you recommend any further sites that are useful for sufferers of mental illnesses? Do leave links in the comments section below.
Kate x
The sad truth is that this particular instance of death is not atypical to those we often see today. The alarming truth is that around 6,000 people in the UK alone will take their life each year, according to a study by Samaritans. And with statistics suggesting that approximately one third of all people will suffer from a mental health condition in their lifetime, there is no reason to suggest why this figure is not set to increase in the foreseeable future.
One of the worst things about mental illness, in my opinion, is that it can strip away the logic from your mentality. It blinds you to the support that truly surrounds you, and inflicts you with damaging, often self critical thoughts. It's common to feel as if your feelings are so peculiar that nobody would be able to understand or relate to you, and I can honestly say this has been a problem for myself at times. Hence, I'd like to recommend some sites that have been of use to myself and some of my peers, that you might find beneficial to either yourself or someone you know (I'm sure the fact you thought of them would mean a lot to them especially).
MindMate
This site, created by the NHS, is targeted at young people aged between 14-25 years which seeks to offer age-appropriate advice surrounding the support that is available to young
7 Cups of Tea
This is a free online therapy service, upon which you can discuss mental health issues or other problems, regarding relationships, for example. The site hosts volunteering 'listeners' of different backgrounds who will talk to you one-on-one within a conversation led by yourself. Also available on the site are a number of self help guides specific to particular issues or conditions. The service is available either through the hyperlinked website or via the 7 Cups of Tea app, available for free on the App Store or Google Play Store.
Samaritans
The site offers mediums of contacting a member of the Samaritans team to discuss your mental health issues, as well as informing visitors of some note-worthy signs you may be struggling to cope.
Mind
Mind offer endless guidance to sufferers of mental health conditions, through self help guides, essential information surrounding the different types of potential treatments that can be used for mental illnesses and the Elefriends forums, where you can discuss your problems with like-minded individuals eager to express their own issues and offer individual advice.
If you're struggling, please open up to someone. A doctor, a friend, a teacher, a relative, an anonymous forum; any mean that feels most comfortable. The devastating impact of the recent death of Chester Bennington seeks to accentuate the importance of doing so.
I must add that anyone is also more than welcome to contact me through my blog to discuss anything in confidence at any point, I would love to be of help to anyone in any way that I can.
Can you recommend any further sites that are useful for sufferers of mental illnesses? Do leave links in the comments section below.
Kate x
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