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Mental Health Awarness
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Mental Health Awarness
Mental Health Awarness Month
In honor of May, mental health awarness month, here's a thread to open up about your mind, and maybe learn some new things.
Here you can post stuff about
-Your experiances
-Asking for help/advice
-coping methods
-Ask questions!! Whatever you're curious about, to help everyone understand more about mental illnesses.
-poetry/writing or art that you might have made that portrays whatevers going on inside your head.
-music
-Things you like about yourself, about others, things that make you happy
-things that don't make you happy or bother you. Fears, words, anything. Open up. It's ok.
It's important to know that you are not alone. 1 in 4 will experance a mental dissorder sometime in their lives. But many don't get help because of stigma. Less then 46% of americans will get help for their mental dissorders because of stigma. But you can make a difference, with something as simple as spreading awarness or talking about it. Even just asking someone if they're ok or doing better can make a huge difference.
The green ribbon symbolizes mental health. Wear on your clothes or backpack, so people know that you care. That you support them.
Remember that it's ok to not be ok. Everyone has their ups and downs. But also remember that there will always be people here for you, people that love you, people who support you. You don't have to go through any of this alone. <3
#Breakthestigma
submitted by Claaws, Going crazy whats new?
(May 11, 2019 - 2:23 pm)
(May 11, 2019 - 2:23 pm)
Hey so if you need to talk, I’m always free to listen, you can dm me on the CB’s classroom at NANOYWP, if you don’t have it I’ll find the code for you. Just remember that your story matters, you matter, and even if you can’t share it here share it with others, cause who knows who might be inspired. Much love <3
(May 17, 2019 - 11:16 pm)
@Admins I’m sorry I attempted to post it here, I got so caught up in my experiences and emotions I didn’t think about the restrictions. I’m sorry. -Crystal
@Claaws I really appreciate your offer, unfortunately I do not have YWP, and am nw thinking of getting it, though I have a few questions about it first, if you’d be willing to answer them. :)
• 1: Does it require an email address, because I do not have one. I know it sounds stupid and silly, but, I’m scared of having something like that, I’m scared of being somehow contacted by...somebody.
• 2: What is the age limit? I am 19, and, YWP means Young Writers Program, right? So I’m wondering how ‘Young’ I’d have to be?
• 3: Next, it’s a novel writing forum, right? Well, I don’t write novels. Does that matter? I do write some pretty bad poetry though, if that makes any difference.
Now there is only one more question, which is a bit more personal. I’m not sure if you will feel comfortable reading my story, I know a lot of people don’t enjoy me talking about my life. Which is fine and I understand. If I end up getting YWP then I will message you the basics so that you can know whether you are comfortable with it. :)
Thank you for understanding, Crystal. Your previous comment is still under review. We may post some of it. I think it's wise, not stupid or silly, to be wary of email allowing unwanted or unknown contacts.
Admin
(May 19, 2019 - 9:01 pm)
@Admins I appreciate that admins, but, if you do decide not to post any of my original post then that is completely fine. -Crystal
(May 20, 2019 - 9:50 am)
1. It does I think? But you can always just make an email type it in, validate it on the web site, then delete it.
2. You’re fine I think with your age I’m 17! (About. In like a month. And guess who sTiLl hAs tHeIr pErMiT sUsPenDeD urggg)
3. No you don’t have to write a novel. I’ve been on for a few years and never wrote one.
Ok so for your last one, there is no possible way you can scare me off. I’ve seen a lot and I’m willing to listen and support you especially if no one else has been willing to, cause your story and your pain matters, you matter.
Also admins, sorry I freaked out on you; the littlest things set me off on my meds but please think about what I said and making your rules less ‘vague’ and being more supportive.
(May 20, 2019 - 9:17 pm)
Thank you so much for everything Claaws!
I did a bit of reasearch before you replied and I learned that I do not require a email if I have a classroom code! Which means, if I can find the classroom code for the CBs classroom (we do have one, right?), that I don’t need to have a email at all!
On that subject, do you know what the classroom code is? If not I can’t do some digging if needed, :)
(May 22, 2019 - 9:25 am)
@Admins Sorry to bother you, but can you edit posts after they have been posted? Because the post that I am replying to I said ‘can’t’ instead of ‘can’ in the context of ‘if not I can’t do some digging’. If it is within yours power, would you be willing to change the ‘can’t’ to ‘can’? If not that is perfectly ok!
-Crystal
Yes, I can edit a comment that has already been posted, BUT you need to give more specific directions for me to find the comment. From this current comment, we are only led to the whole thread. It has several pages of comments. You need to say "In the comment that begins with _______ on page __ of this thread." And you can only ask to edit a comment that you created, not a message from another person.
Admin
(May 22, 2019 - 1:00 pm)
Oh! I managed to find the classroom code! I’ll message you on my new account shortly! :)
(May 22, 2019 - 1:36 pm)
This is something I wrote about how I feel when I’m having an “anxiety attack,” (or... at least what I think is an anxiety attack to me.)
Tumbling down into a void of nothing. “What if….? What if?” The words taunted me repeatedly. My thoughts spiraled down, squeezing me tighter and tighter until I could no longer get out myself.
I turned my parents into monsters. I turned my teachers to villains; someone who would hurt me instead of help me become who I needed to be. I would even turn my friends into something they’re not.
Stress, fear, anger… and at the bottom of it all, anxiety. It was a word I hadn’t even thought about until a couple months ago.
I felt that everyone judged me for where and who I was in life; that I wasn’t like the other kids. That I was a slow learner, I didn’t understand.
I hated how everyone judged me.
I would compare myself to others. I was never good enough for others-never good enough for me.
But it wasn’t true.
I wanted to hide, to keep everyone away from me. But another part of me said “Don’t go. Help please.” I tried to hide. I wanted to curl up in a ball. These emotions kept coursing through my body, and I couldn’t stop them.
“You’re dumb, you can’t do it, your Mom hates you, she’s never pleased with anything that you do.”
Every time I tried to explain how I felt to someone-I couldn’t. The conversation ended up with me breaking down in tears, or with me yelling at the person. That person would end up getting hurt too. It always ended in a disaster. No one could truly understand how I felt.
I didn’t want to hurt them-to tire them of my problems, but I always did. Or it seemed that way. So I tried to keep my feelings to myself, until they burst out like a helium filled balloon.
I was scared. Really scared.
I freaked out about everything I did. I would ask “did I do right?” Or “does this look good?” I was always questioning myself. Never truly confident in myself.
And I’m still not.
The smallest changes in plans I expected sent me down deeper into my vortex of fear and anxiety.
Tears would spill without warning, and I couldn’t stop.
The question is though, what was I truly afraid of? Was it myself? Or was it something deeper I wasn’t truly sure of?
I felt trapped. A bird in a cage. I wanted to curl into a ball and just ignore the world around me. To shout “GO AWAY!” To have the problems be gone forever.
I wanted to be normal again. To not know about anxiety-not know that I had this problem. I was fine before. Not perfect-but I was fine.
I talked to my friends about it. But even they couldn’t understand sometimes. Or maybe they did-they just didn’t say the things I wanted to hear.
I wanted to get out. The problem was though-
I didn’t know how.
I know they try to help me. But sometimes it doesn’t: I’m left to fight them, these thoughts in my head myself.
I wanted my friends and family to help. But I would only push them away.
When I felt like I couldn’t take it anymore, I shut down. Literally. I wouldn’t talk to anyone, no matter how many times they asked “are you ok?”
Because the truth was: No. No, I wasn’t ok. I needed help.
But still, I pushed them away. More and more.
“What the heck are you doing?!?” My mind shouted at me. “You’re making a huge mistake! They’re trying to help you!!!”
And I knew that. My body didn’t believe it though. Not yet.
A couple times I would run outside to the trampoline, the swings, anywhere to get away. And then I would just listen. Listen to my music on my phone-or I would sing. Or just stand still and listen to the wind rustling through the leaves.
It was relaxing the way they wind rustled through the leaves. I felt like I could stay out there forever… never go back inside.
But then the reality sank back in, into my imagination, the land without pain. But even I couldn’t escape from the pain there.
Why couldn’t anyone take it away?
Why me?
(May 18, 2019 - 10:51 am)
*hugs*
I know what you mean Joan, I really do. I've been praying for you. Drink teeeaaaa if it helps. XD
It helps me quite a bit. Chamomile, or earl grey with lemon balm ... you could try essential oils! Those are fun and I've found that lavender really helps. Don't forget, God is with you. And you will be okay.
(May 18, 2019 - 5:51 pm)
Thanks for making this thread Claaws. This is a really important issue.
I think a lot of people make fun of people with mental illness, sometimes without even realizing it. For example, one of my freinds will joke about "having OCD." But that's really insensitive to people who actually struggle from things like that. People don't always realize the effect their words can have.
@Happy, your story was really beautiful. I love it. The poetic way it is written adds so much depth to it.
@Claaws and Cho, *big hugs to both of you* Things will get better eventually, don't give up hope. I'll pray for you.
#breakthestigma
(May 19, 2019 - 12:16 pm)
Thank you, Dandelion. :)
(May 19, 2019 - 4:07 pm)
Yes, thank you for this thread! Sorry I'm so late, but I guess this thread should continue just as a reminder that many people are still facing these problems.
Confidence is important, everyone! I know from experience that sometimes other people trying to tell you not to listen to that voice bringing you down doesn't really help, but I will say this: whoever you are, wherever you are, we all love you and are here for you! You can always come to our community for help and support. I'm not very helpful when it comes to things like this, but I know that lots of you guys are and are always willing to help out a CBer in need. ^^
(May 21, 2019 - 6:23 pm)
Thank you, Soren. I hadn't realized that I was feeling down until I stumbled onto your post. XP
(May 21, 2019 - 11:35 pm)
Look, I don't mean to sound dumb or weird or anything, but I don't really know what mental illness is. I don't know what we're discussing here... Anyone want to explain a little bit? Just the general, I guess...
Mental illness is a disorder that affects your mood, thinking, and/or behavior.
Admin
(May 24, 2019 - 4:54 pm)
At my school, instead of having Crazy Hair Day, we have Creative Hair Day. And pretty much everyone jokes about it, like, why do we have to call it creative hair day? it's so useless! that's stupid! ... etc.
But I kind of feel like it's a good idea. Maybe not this specifically, but I think it's kind of true that people use the word 'crazy' sort of as a joke and that's a problem. But then I think that I'm not really in a position to be advocating for this, seeing as this isn't actually my issue and I don't want to make assumptions.
Also, my school gave everyone a talking-to after some people were reported as using 'gay' to mean dumb and stupid, which everyone supported. But don't we do the same thing with 'crazy'?
Thoughts?
(May 25, 2019 - 12:21 pm)