Today (10th October) is World Mental Health Day. In my post on this day last year I opened up about my own struggles with my mental health. It is never an easy topic to talk about, not just for me but for most people who struggle. The sad thing is so many people have private battles with their mental health. Imagine if we were all able to open up about it, what kind of amazing support network that would be!

One year on I still struggle, the key to surviving is knowing when you’re struggling and asking for help, not being afraid to lean on those you love or trust and most importantly knowing when to say NO to things you know are going to make you worse. Haha I sound like I have it sussed, I really don’t. It’s hard following that mantra!!

I love this selvedge on the new Ruby Star Society! It arrived on a day where I needed a pick me up and as soon as I saw it it cheered me right through. I have always considered my sewing a form of therapy, a release and a world to get lost in, so to have fabric “speak” to me like that meant so much.

I don’t have a long post full of wise words or insights this time, but I still wanted people to know it is OK to be not OK, that together we can end the stigma that makes it so difficult for so many to reach out ask for help and open up about how they feel.

I think we have come a long way and people are becoming more understanding and less of the opinion that ” you need to pull yourself together”. If only it could be as simple as that. I wonder if those people with this point of view realise how hurtful it is, do they not think we wish we could just do that? Maybe then waiting lists for therapy wouldn’t be so long and prescriptions of anti-depressants and suicide rates would fall. Like any illness nobody wants to have it.

If you do one thing today, please text a friend. It could be any friend. A friend who seems to have it all together or a friend who you know struggles. One text can make all the difference.

I shared these numbers last year but I will put them here again. I also want to say if you ever need to talk I am here, you can comment, message or email me anytime. I hate the thought of someone struggling alone, it really is a dark and lonely place so if you need someone I want to be there.

Some useful numbers:

Samaritans – for everyone Tel: 116 123

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) – for men
Call 0800 58 58 58 – 5pm to midnight every day
Visit the webchat page

Papyrus – for people under 35
Call 0800 068 41 41 – Monday to Friday 10am to 10pm, weekends 2pm to 10pm, bank holidays 2pm to 5pm
Text 07786 209697
Email pat@papyrus-uk.org

Childline – for children and young people under 19
Call 0800 1111 – the number won’t show up on your phone bill

The Silver Line – for older people
Call 0800 4 70 80 90