Why Welsh language support is vital
Elen, from Anglesey, explains how accessing support in Welsh helped her better understand her mental health.
Haiaaa, I'm Elen, I'm 24 years old, and I live in Swansea. Originally from Anglesey, I moved here in 2020 for university and decided to stay ever since.
When I was 16, I started experiencing some symptoms of depression and anxiety. At the time, I was studying for my GCSEs in secondary school, so it was a pretty busy and stressful period. It was a tough summer, and at first, I wasn’t really sure what the thoughts and feelings I was experiencing actually were. Back then, mental health wasn’t something people talked about much, and there was still a lot of taboo surrounding it.
Even though I had taken that first step to get support, I was still struggling with my mental health.
Eventually, I decided to open up about what I was going through, and honestly, it felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders! I first spoke to my boyfriend at the time, and with his encouragement, I went to see a doctor. That’s when I was prescribed antidepressants, and I’ve been on them ever since - I really think they’ve helped me a lot, alongside everything else.
After the summer holidays, I started sixth form. Even though I had taken that first step to get support, I was still struggling with my mental health. My teachers at school were amazing - they helped me access support from the school counsellor. The waiting list was long, but they pushed for me to be seen as soon as possible. Those weekly counselling sessions were incredibly helpful, and that’s when I realised how much talking about what’s weighing me down actually helps. I’d kept everything bottled up for so long and felt ashamed, but opening up made such a difference.
I’ve come to understand just how important it is to reach out and talk about your feelings.
Since then, it’s been a long journey of learning how to live with depression and anxiety. I’ve had a lot of tough times, especially when changes happen in my life. Uni was particularly challenging - it was my first time living away from home, and there was a lot of pressure to go out drinking and socialising. That’s when I realised that my relationship with alcohol wasn’t the best… but that’s a story for another time! While at uni, I had more counselling sessions to help me through, and that’s also when I started running - and honestly, running has changed my life…!
Over the past 8 years, I’ve come to understand just how important it is to reach out and talk about your feelings. It’s been amazing to see how conversations around mental health have become more open, especially among young people – which is great! Life can be overwhelming and busy, and sometimes people feel a lot of pressure. But no matter how busy you are, prioritising your mental health is so important!
As a Welsh speaker who grew up speaking Welsh, getting support in my own language has been a huge deal for me.
I recently read something online that said a 12-minute chat with a friend can change your entire day and mindset. That just shows how powerful talking and trusting others can be. Remember, there’s so much support out there, and everyone experiences mental health differently - so finding what works best for you is key – just remember; it takes time. I’ve put a lot of work into myself over the years, and now I’m really aware of my triggers and what I need to manage them.
I truly believe that accessing mental health support in your native language is so important. As a Welsh speaker who grew up speaking Welsh, getting support in my own language has been a huge deal for me. It just feels more natural - I think in Welsh, so trying to explain my problems in English would take twice as much energy, and talking about mental health is already exhausting. I’ve had counselling in both Welsh and English, and honestly, I didn’t get as much out of the English sessions compared to the Welsh ones. That’s why it’s so important to have the option to access support in the language that feels right for you.
By now, I still have bad days, but like I mentioned earlier, I’ve learned how to manage my symptoms better, and I understand my triggers more. Running, exercising, spending time outdoors, socialising, and talking to friends really help me. But also, sometimes you just need to take a break. Life can be so busy, so don’t be afraid to pause and breathe.
If everything feels like too much right now, just take it day by day - and if even that feels overwhelming, just focus on the next few minutes or hours. There’s always light at the end of the tunnel.
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.
Share your story with others
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.