As a cold open and to be blunt, suicide is the single biggest killer of men under the age of 45 in the United Kingdom. At roughly 18 deaths per day it is utterly mind blowing. This needs to be put under the microscope and real help needs to be readily available for people, men in particular who struggle with mental wellbeing throughout their lives.
When people talk about helping people going through a bad time mentally, the first thing they will say is that you need to talk to somebody. Though this may be true, talking in general day to day situations can be a trigger of anxiety for so many. So many people struggle with social anxiety that breaching the topic of their mental wellbeing can feel borderline impossible. Picking up that phone, to friends, family or professionals can be extremely daunting. This is a feeling you only truly understand once you’ve felt it yourself.
This is why Wrestling With Anxiety has formed, not just as a place for me to help my own mental health by blogging and writing on many mental health topics but as a place where written communication is welcomed as an alternative to oral communication. Quite frankly, some people will find it easier to discuss their issues by writing them to others rather than speaking. You can even do this anonymously if you wish, nobody shall judge anybody here. Our forums will give everyone the opportunity to tell their stories while communicating with others about theirs. This is a support network, a method sharing system and a mental health revival!
I honestly believe that with the help of others in similar situations (Believe me you’re not alone), we can all live a much happier and healthier life! The world has changed and no longer should men be expected to be physically and mentally strong all the time! It’s ok to be struggling, it doesn’t make you a bad person or a failure despite what your mind may tell you sometimes, let’s get a real community going and smash the stigma of mental health issues, anxiety, depression and more! It’s time for these things to all be normalised and treated with respect!
I find it amazing, even sometimes awe inspiring how people going through such terrible times just have the energy to get out of bed in the morning.
It may be because you have to get to work, have to be a parent or a whole host of reasons but you know what? We do it. Despite everything in our heads wanting us to stay in bed, pull the covers up over our heads and do nothing all day long, we get up and carry on.
Doing this isn’t dealing with mental health issues, it is LIVING with mental health issues.
People say social media can be a big factor in damaging mental health, that’s true but maybe we can create an online movement where we normalise talking about mental health and help each other! Imagine that aye? Living in a world where humans help each other out. Mind blowing concept right?
Wrestling With Anxiety 