Finding the courage to share your personal story
I have been so impressed and inspired lately by mental health awareness advocates and their passion to disseminate information and vital strategies for managing mental health issues. There is a wealth of knowledge out there now about mental health what we call psycho-education which is in essence learning about our own psychology. What is truly remarkable however are the individuals that are stepping forward in the public arena to share their own experiences and struggles with mental health. These individuals show us all how incredibly vulnerable and brave someone must be to share their personal story.
I just wanted to acknowledge these individuals and if you are struggling with your own mental health issues, and let’s face it not many of us aren’t right now, then I would encourage you to firstly listen closely to these inspirational stories as this just might encourage you to reach out for help. Chelsea Pottenger @eqminds has bravely detailed her struggle with post-natal depression and especially anxiety and has turned this into her passion for helping others through workshops and social media to raise awareness of mental health issues. I have also been touched by Tory Archbold @powerfulsteps for her courage to tell her story of pain and the emotional turmoil of a difficult separation with her daughter’s father and her struggles with keeping her private life completely hidden from her successful public persona. Telling her personal story has empowered so many others to come forward and seek help and support. Of course there is America where they seem to lead the world in their desire to share and self-disclose. One of the true inspirations right now is Brene Brown and her personal story of vulnerability and years of research empowering us all to be courageously vulnerable to lead and inspire others.
May is mental health awareness month and my passion as a mental health practitioner is to encourage others to reach out and share their story. If you are struggling to do this then firstly begin by being an engaged listener in other stories and use social media to reach out. Try and not stop there, start slowly by commenting on the stories and personally reflecting on the courage it must have taken these people to share and know that you have the courage in yourself to share your story too. Work your way up slowly to sharing your story with close friends or family, you can even try an anonymous help line, that may be enough to support you. Ultimately, for professional help take a big breath and then pick up the phone to call your doctor or a trained mental health professional and begin the journey towards true mental health. As a psychotherapist with clinical psychology training, I am always asked how do I listen to everyone’s emotional pain and struggles every day? The answer is simple, I am truly humbled by the courage each person has to even meet me and sit with me in my office to begin with. That is the biggest leap of faith they need and I am always honoured to listen to their story and to hear their pain. I truly believe that everyone, with the right support and encouragement, has the strength in them to overcome the stigma of mental health and tell their unique story. Please remember though that you really don’t need the courage to tell the world. Sharing your personal journey with just one person, who truly hears you, is often enough.
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