How are you, really?
Are there words that suffice?
For the strength that it’s taken to say
‘I’m alright’?
I need you close, for I crave comfort.
But stay away, so I’m free.
I’m okay.
It’s fine, just let me be me.
Being in the midst of a dark place and experiencing mental health problems first hand, or through a loved one can feel extremely isolating and lonely.
Life is a series of waves through which we experience times of joy, times of managing, coping – or really struggling.
Mental health affects all of us, 1 in 4 will experience a mental illness and we shouldn’t feel ashamed of reaching out for help.
Mental illnesses can be beaten and managed.
On this #WMHD I want to share how acceptable, brave and important it is to open up and have a real conversation.
Reach out if you’re struggling, or if you’re concerned about someone who is.
Asking how someone REALLY is, and listening can be the first step to giving someone the opportunity to speak from the heart and open up, when they feel they’re least able to.
Over the past year there has been an incredible increase in the awareness around mental health. Steps are being taken to reduce the stigma and action change, which I’ve witnessed first hand through corporate organisations, schools, universities and on social media.
This year the theme is #youngpeopleandmentalhealthinachangingworld – and it’s wonderful to see toolkit’s for the management and prevention of mental health problems being initiated, it’s the change we need to see.
Your questions, stories, answers or ears could make an impact and change a life.
Know that you can help change the conversation and make it matter.
I have come across some wonderful companies and Mental Health game-changers over the past few months who I would love to share with you. We can help support these movements and make an impact ourselves by checking these companies out, seeing how you can get involved and making purchases with purpose via their websites.
Mental Health Activist
British mental health campaigner and activist. Founder of @team_walk2talk. Leader of the #PinkArmy
Bryony Gordon – Mental Health Mates
A safe space for you to walk and talk about your problems without fear of judgement
Michelle Morgan – Pjoys
Using the power of PJs & Art to make mental health an everyday conversation
100% Aromatherapy products aimed to help the very unique and varied pressures we experience today, and the daily balancing acts that so many face. Stress levels are at their peak, demands to slow down, sleep better and juggle more are a common concern to all. Through the introduction of the Stop. Inhale. Reset. ritual at the heart of the brand, Scentered allows you to take a moment for yourself, reset your mood and transform the way you feel, breathing renewed positivity into a busy lifestyle.
Powering Wellness in the workplace, POW Food supply nutritious food and Wellness workshops to offices, supporting focus, immunity and positive Mental Health.
Ben Bidwell – The Naked Professor
Mental Health Advocate, The Naked Professors Podcast co-founder, Meditation and Life Coach
Everyday mental maintenance is an essential part of surviving.
The Self Space offers an opportunity for a good conversation with a qualified person, the probability is you’ll leave feeling better than when you came in.
We aren’t just crisis management (although we do that too) we believe in talking about where you’re at, where you’re going and where you’ve come from, so that you can reach your potential.
We offer a range of session options including 1-1 therapy, couples therapy, student sessions, supervision, executive coaching and team dynamics sessions. For work with young people and families please visit www.carisscreative.co.uk
George David Hodgson – Maison de Choup
Fashionpreneur, Public Speaker and Mental Health Campaigner.
Beat Ambassador and Nutrition student on a mission to empower women to love their bodies and practise a healthy and balanced relationship with food.
Steph Kazolides – Quarter life health project
They say the best years of our lives are in our 20’s & 30’s, yet what we have found at The Quarter Life Health Project is that there is a current epidemic of young adults at complete war within them selves, battling anxiety, stress, depression, addiction, and feelings of total confusion and overwhelm about their future.
We believe this is largely attributed to our cultural imprinting and social pressures as well as unconscious parenting and a broken education system that have neglected to nurture individual creativity, and mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. Add to that, a society that considers it taboo to talk openly about our struggles, and it’s unsurprising we are facing a crisis in our 20’s + 30’s!
We’re on a mission to change that! We believe that by unlearning these false belief systems, healing our inner worlds and taking our power back, we CAN rewrite the script and we CAN change the world.
Poppy Jamie – Happy not perfect
Changing The Way We Look After Our Minds.
Supported by science, designed for people
My mission is to show men that it’s ok to talk about their mental health. My mission is to share my personal story and experiences to help others understand that speaking is strength. Mental health affects 1 in 4 people. Suicide is the biggest killer of men and young people in the UK. It’s time to change.
A natural skincare range that not only tackles the effects of inner stress, anxiety and pollution using natural ingredients but also supports causes that tackled the negative mental effects from those forces.
Francesca Geens – Happy Self Journal
This journal gives your children the foundations for a happy and balanced life.
Sam Pemberton – Just be me London
Just Be Me believes in fashion with a conscience…Just Be Me is a label that exists to create fashion that fosters positivity + empowerment. Creating clothes that are confident, creative, and full of purpose and inspiration. They donate 25% of the profits of all sales to The Mix.
Their first collection is a set of three fitted versatile chambray printed and embroidered women’s tees – each featuring a different and unique affirmation of positivity and empowerment.
Just be Me London believes in the power of fashion as a medium to support important social causes impacting today’s society .