For me depression and anxiety that I had been suppressing for many years finally erupted in the form of a mental breakdown at work, Sept 2019. It hit hard, every thread of mental armour I had fell away and I lost all forms of hope. I found myself standing at the top of a cliff in Sydney harbour considering suicide.
Slumping back from the cliff, I finally saw myself clearly for the first time and what a mess I was in. Suicide would only spread this pain out around my family and friends and I could not do that. So I reached out for help from councillors, family, friends, medication, and am hugely grateful and thankful for all of them.
It has been a long road, several stumbles but I am pleased to say I am stabilizing and growing. I have grown massively from the experience plan on continuing to do so.
Advice I can give to those that are struggling at the moment. First step is admitting you have a problem. Can't fix something if you don't admit it is broken. And it's OK to be broken. Sometimes it happens to the best of us and there is no shame in reaching out for help, in fact it's one of the bravest things you can do.
Realise that you are not alone. Depression makes you feel so isolated, like this could only happen to you but it's just not true. It's more common than you imagine, probably someone on your street or in your apartment block is experiencing the same thing right now. Reading stories of others' journeys helped for me.
Know that it will get better. There is always light at the end of the tunnel. For some it is further away than others but with some work, everyone gets there. And walking through that pain rather than turning away from it, gets you out into the light rather than remaining trapped in the darkness. And it's much better in the light!
Take each day as it comes, and just try and make it a little bit better than yesterday.
To promote and support Mental Health, this year I am doing a series of physical challenges for charities. I welcome anyone to join in however you can. For more info, click here.