My guess is that many people suffer from some sort of depression during their lives and its something that one may find hard to accept, talk about or even realise.

Hopefully, for the majority its just a blip in their lives and not something that rules them for decades.

When one has Cognative problems for many years without knowingly being aware of the symptoms or signs but puts it down to other influences then life with problems becomes the norm. Then it only takes little things to push one over the edge into the blackness of despair.

Its not easy to live the majority of a life feeling like this especially when faced with the pressures of modern living, responsibilities, economic instability, bullies and age. It can mould one into a person that isn’t who they want to be or needs to be.

All these things niggle away at one’s confidence, ability, health and well-being and unless you are a sufferer then you have no idea what its like.

Few employers  have any thought or support for people with mental health issues and one can often be labelled as a lead swinger or problem if the illness arises. There is all this talk of help from doctors, work and colleagues but in the cold light of day there is really very little help on offer when one truly needs it. Waiting lists, time off and being shunted from place to another seldom helps and often leads to even more stress.

Taking the first steps to recognise there is indeed a problem and then talking to someone certainly is a bonus and being honest to yourself is a must. Only then can one muster the confidence to seek help from the professionals. Seeing a GP and asking for help and just being able to talk about things has a dramatic effect and medication?; Why not? If one has a headache or virus doesn’t one take pills? Why shouldn’t a chemical imbalance be treated in a similar way? It can certainly help and then allow one to focus on addressing the problems previously hidden by the flood-waters of mentalism.

Help can come from places like the http://www.moodgym.au or the book manage your mind. These can often be seen as common sense but can have the desired ability to reprogram the brain.At times common sense is the last thing one can see and a small reminder is what is required. After all sometimes crossed wires can cause electronic equipment to malfunction but when rerouted the things work just fine.

The desperation of feeling alone and that nobody can help or understand can be crushing and its so hard to find a way out of the black but even a tiny pinpoint of light is all that is needed to focus on to gradually draw one out. It takes more guts to give up than to carry on. I mean that if one really thinks there is no way forward and suicide  is the only answer then that takes far more grit and determination than just giving up and wallowing in self pity, drink or despair. The other monumentally hard thing is to ask for help but one can and should. No one walked a mile without taking the first step and this is all it takes. One step and stage at a time and gradually things will get that little  bit easier.

I guess its self confidence building.

Mental health is real; just like tonsillitis, flu, cancer and any other illness and the more its spoken about and realised in our societies then the more that can be done to help and banish it from lives.

So talk about it, look out for signs in others and support them, take time to think about what others are carrying in their lives and remember that they may not be as confident or as tough as you.

Just like health and safety it is all of our responsibility to guard and fight against depression, stress, bereavement, loss, disability, addiction and abuse.

I know I have only just touched on this subject but its something I wanted to raise.

I’m happy to talk about my own personal feelings and with help I hope to  be able to find a way to kick my own demons out of my muddled mind.

I am always open to discuss or read comments from others and any pointers of where to find free psychiatric help or self help places will be warmly welcome; especially in the Oxford area.

Merry Christmas One and All and a Happy New Year.

Thank You.