DAY OF THE
MENTAL
HEALTH
10 October 2024
It has now been 14 years since I fell into severe depression. 14 years since I had to start taking antidepressants (temporarily) because the risk of ending my life was too high. I didn't want to do that, and yet I wanted to. My brain wanted it. Because with depression, at some point the metabolism in your head gets disrupted. You no longer produce happiness hormones. No matter how hard you try, it doesn't work. Those thoughts keep coming back, over and over again.
Today is Mental Health Day. A time to reflect on those who have or have had mental health problems. Who have struggled with it all their lives or who are going through it now and feel completely alone.
A day to share your story so another person knows they are not alone. Certainly not the only one. And that you see and know that things can work out.
Besides, I share my story because my experiences are who I am. They made me brought to where I am today. They are the reason I started following my heart, that my work is now full of colour, full of energy. Who I am and what I have experienced shape my work.
So nice such a day! And at the same time, this is of no use to us if we are not open. Making things negotiable.
Asking for help is hard. Let's turn it around. Ask a friend how he or she is really doing. And keep asking. Give someone a hug. And don't let go right away... really hold the other person. Say: "I love you."
Let's take the time to be there for each other. I can speak from experience. But really. Even the tiniest gesture of attention can mean everything to someone struggling.
