Rising Above The Storm

My heart is heavy. I’m sad, I’m angry and I’m shocked. I can’t believe how cruel this world we live in can be. A couple of weeks ago now, within just two days, I had heard the news of a much loved presenter and a friend of friends had taken their own life. The fact that an individual can feel so alone and low to do something like this saddens me so much. But it’s not just one person, this is happening everyday whether we are aware of it not. The town I live in is really struggling with this issue and it wouldn’t surprise me if it’s the same case in other towns across the UK. Not one person in this town hasn’t been affected by the topic of suicide in some way or other. Although I don’t know these two people directly I just can’t help feel deeply saddened for them and their loved ones.

I know everyone is saying the same about Caroline Flack and I’m not writing this to jump on the bandwagon, I just feel so strongly about this topic and wish there was something I could do to make a change. Caroline received so much hate from the press and the public, as do many other people in the lime light, how could she not feel the way she did. It just makes me so angry I can only imagine the hate she was receiving, I know for a fact it was a lot more than what we could see. She made a mistake, which all humans do, yet she had to deal with the world scrutinizing her on top of the guilt she probably already had. I’m not condoning what she did but she absolutely did not deserve this. We and the media have so much to answer for for this and the many more lives that have been lost to this cruelty. Looking at her instagram just breaks my heart so much. Imagine a person being advised not to use social media it just shows the amount of hate she was receiving.

I just can’t get my head around it. It’s one thing individuals spreading hate but newspapers and media outlets? I honestly believe they have blood on their hands and should be ashamed of themselves for even trying to redeem themselves with compassionate headlines just because it’s a slow news day. They are the reason the public feel they are in their right to spread hate to people just because they are famous. Newspapers are saying it so why cant they? They should be setting examples for people but instead their just teaching people to spread gossip, slander names and judge people on what they wear and look like. It has to stop. I think the most positive and actually productive thing I have seen come out of this tragedy is hair salons refusing to provide trash magazines and replace them for things like educational books or even adult colouring inn. As a hairdresser myself I just think this is an amazing step forward for this generation. No it’s not going to stop or solve the issue but it’s a massive statement and a big step in the right direction. We shouldn’t be endorsing these magazines or newspapers to constantly tear people down.

This generation are so quick to post heartfelt social media posts about how mental health matters but why do you only see them posting about it when a tragedy happens? I think social media has a lot to do with this issue but its such a big part of our society today so how can we make those changes. There is just so much pressure to be socially accepted on places like Instagram you almost want to ask instagram ‘what are you gonna do to help?’ but obviously this is unrealistic. I guess we just have to teach from a young age how to be kind. It’s so true when people say you never know what people are going through so always be kind. It’s literally that simple. I obviously can’t lie and say I’ve never said something about someone that’s just life but hopefully we can all make a difference by making a conscious effort to be kinder.

I think another issue is the limited amount of funding we have for mental health resources, there just isn’t enough help out there. I went to the doctors in 2017 and wanted to be referred to counselling as that is what we decided was best for me. I waited a year and half and got an appointment finally… when I got to my appointment it was just to fill out a survey and they told me I’ll be back on the waiting list and they will let me know when regular appointments will become available. I honestly didn’t know what to say. Another year went by where I did struggle with my anxiety and was forever hoping to get help. In that year I went back to get referred again and they told me they would chase it up for me. Thankfully I’m in my third week of counselling now but it took 3 years for me to get to that point. I just don’t think that is good enough. Imagine I was worse off than I was, it doesn’t bare thinking about. I know I’m not a one off case either, I know other people who have had the same situation. I think when more funding becomes available there will be a lot more help for people and I honestly think people will find it easier to ask for help too.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this issue and if you have any ideas on what we could do to make changes then please let me know. If you’re struggling with any of these issues please talk to someone and seek help because you matter.

To Caroline and all the beautiful people who have lost their lives to depression. Rest in Peace ❤️

Wishing you all positive vibes x