Mind has been a lifeline
This Mental Health Awareness Week, India blogs about how we provided a safe space for her, and hopes for a future where mental health services are more person-centred and supportive, so no mind gets left behind.
For as long as I can remember, I've always felt different and didn’t really know why. I didn’t fit in with people and felt like an outcast.
I have struggled with my mental health since 2007 when I was 14 years old, and I was sectioned under the Mental Health Act at 18 following an overdose.
My experiences of mental health services have been largely negative, so the support I received from Mind has been a lifeline, creating a safe space for me to talk about my challenges and helping me to understand my symptoms.
“When I accessed the Mind website, I could really relate to it. It made me understand who I am because I didn’t before.”
I remember reaching out to Mind for the first time when I was struggling. I didn’t know much about it at that point. When I accessed the site, and all of the information and worksheets on different conditions, I could really relate to it. It made me understand who I am because I didn’t before.
From the comments on different articles Mind shared, I found out about support groups. I joined a group for people with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and one for people with personality disorders. Even just seeing things you can relate to made me realise I’m not the only one.
“You can ring your family and they might not want to know. But at least you always know you can ring Mind.”
The best thing about Mind is being able to ring the Infoline and talk to them when you need to. Being able to pick up the phone and talk when you’re in a really bad place is a lifeline. The phone calls were imperative for me. You can ring friends and they might not answer, or your family and they might not want to know. But at least you always know you can ring Mind. They won’t call you ‘crazy’ or put you down, they are going to actually listen to you.
Mind helped me understand what was going on with me. That is the most powerful thing you can give someone. Now I don’t feel embarrassed about who I am. I’m ok with who I am.
I feel angry that there are so many people waiting for mental health services. I think it's disgusting that in 2024, we are still at this point. Things should have progressed. Things should be easier. I don't understand why there's been no progress.
“Without Mind, my mental health would have got worse and worse. Mind and having my son saved me.”
I’ve been on waiting lists since CAMHS. None of it has been quick. I’ve changed address and it’s more waiting, waiting and waiting. You think there’d be more of a priority, but no. I feel so sorry for people less resilient than me because it could push you over the edge.
Without Mind, my mental health would have got worse and worse. Mind and having my son saved me. Every birthday now, I see it as a blessing because I might not have been here.
We need Mind now more than ever. Without it we’d just have NHS waiting lists, people waiting for therapy and medication. Take Mind away, and that’s all you’re left with. You’re left with nothing.
I’d love to live in a world where mental illness is as normal as breaking your arm. I long for a future where mental health services are more person-centred and supportive. But there’s still a terrible stigma attached to conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar. It worries me that the world is like this, and change isn’t happening as quickly as it should. If someone had an operation in hospital, you’d probably take them flowers and grapes. Why doesn’t that happen when people get sectioned?
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Information and support
When you’re living with a mental health problem, or supporting someone who is, having access to the right information - about a condition, treatment options, or practical issues - is vital. Visit our information pages to find out more.
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Blogs and stories can show that people with mental health problems are cared about, understood and listened to. We can use it to challenge the status quo and change attitudes.
