It's Time For a Change.
I had planned to write a blog post on the 6th February which was 'Time to Talk Day' but I was really struggling with my mental health and I was very stressed due to college work. I could barely get myself out of bed let alone try and write a sentence.
But on Saturday 15th February, I was extremely shocked and deeply saddened to hear about Caroline Flack's passing. I didn't know her personally but this has hit me hard and I can't stop thinking about how she must have been feeling. Because for 4 years, anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts have consumed my mind and ruined my life. And just because someone has a blue tick next to their name doesn't mean they're immune to mental health problems. Words hurt and she had feelings. People make mistakes, we're all human, majority if not everyone has said something they regret because as humans we act impulsively. But we learn from them, this poor woman had her whole life and she wasn't perfect but is anyone? She made mistakes but was exploited by the media and it was extremely public making thousands of people think they could use their platform to bring her down, hounded by the press, relentlessly bullied by so many people. No one deserves to feel so low that they feel their only option is to take their own life. My heart breaks for her family and I hope Caroline has found her peace now.
March last year, I wrote a poem about how social media affects mental health. Only a few people have read this but I went on to to show my local MP who kindly set up a meeting and I talked about this issue, about how I want a change. I then emailed it to the NHS and it is being used in training to those who are learning about the effects of mental health. And still to this day, the problem remains. How many more people is it going to take until bullying and mental health is taken seriously and something is done about it. We need to stop preaching about it and act upon it. My family know how much mental health awareness means to me, it's my passion alongside writing and helping people. Because I know from personal experience how lonely it can be. I was diagnosed with mental health problems and it has destroyed me. So I know what it is like to feel so alone, so broken that you feel like you only have one option to escape the pain that is numbing you and it's not fair. I feel it every day, every minute, it never goes away. It's a darkness that lingers over me and torments me, bullying me, bringing me down at every chance it can get. It's a vicious cycle. But I set up this blog to help those who are sadly feeling the same thing, to show them they're not alone. I'm an empath. So stories like this hit me hard. Caroline didn't deserve this. Not only is the press to blame for this tragedy but the online bullies, the ones who use their platform to bring others down because it makes them feel good about themselves. It sickens me that someone can have that mindset and I am so angry at our society. I wish I could talk to every single bully who thought it was okay to torment Caroline and anyone else they have felt the need to bring down and ask them this. Is this worth it? Is it worth a life being taken from the world because they felt like it was the only way out to escape your cruel, vicious words. I urge those who write the words, like the pictures targeting someone's appearance, just stop before you press send. THINK about how that comment will hurt someone, how that like will make someone feel so small, and just imagine what it would be like to be on the receiving end of your words. People will preach about mental health and then it will be forgotten about within days and it needs to change. Mental health is everyday, so please let this be a wake up call that this is NOT a joke anymore and people can only take so much.
'In a world where you can be anything, be kind'
Be kinder to people. Check on your family, your friends, those around you and never stop talking about mental health. Don't just talk about it for that one day, talk about it everyday. Go out of your way and tell someone how proud you are of them, it could make their day that bit better. Life is too precious. Stop treating it like it's a one off thing because it never goes away, support is always needed no matter what.
I also want to include in this post to go over to Stephanie Davis Instagram and watch her video. Also, please sign this petition that she created to stop the exploitation of people in the public eye. https://t.co/0PDog4InRh?amp=1
We can do this and when this change happens I will cry with happiness. This is what I've wanted for the longest time. It's why I started this blog. It's why I spoke with the MP about this issue. I am still trying to speak with more people to raise more awareness. I want to do everything I can by using my writing and words to fight for a change in mental health awareness. Stephanie is doing amazing so please sign the petition and pass it on. It takes not even a minute so do it, it's so important. This is for Caroline, for those who have been affected by suicide. This is for people like me who suffer everyday with mental health problems. To those who are still on the waiting list to be seen. And, this is for the angels who are sadly not here with us, who had so much to give but the world was too cruel. We will do this.
A helpline that has really helped me in the past is 'Shout', it's a 24/7 anonymous text service and they are really friendly. Text 85258. Or call Samaritans 116 123. There is always someone to talk to and there will be someone who will listen. You are never alone.
My dm's are always open @_aimeedarling_
My personal account is @aimeebryann
Or send me an email to aimeebryanxoxo@gmail.com
BE KIND.
<3
But on Saturday 15th February, I was extremely shocked and deeply saddened to hear about Caroline Flack's passing. I didn't know her personally but this has hit me hard and I can't stop thinking about how she must have been feeling. Because for 4 years, anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts have consumed my mind and ruined my life. And just because someone has a blue tick next to their name doesn't mean they're immune to mental health problems. Words hurt and she had feelings. People make mistakes, we're all human, majority if not everyone has said something they regret because as humans we act impulsively. But we learn from them, this poor woman had her whole life and she wasn't perfect but is anyone? She made mistakes but was exploited by the media and it was extremely public making thousands of people think they could use their platform to bring her down, hounded by the press, relentlessly bullied by so many people. No one deserves to feel so low that they feel their only option is to take their own life. My heart breaks for her family and I hope Caroline has found her peace now.
March last year, I wrote a poem about how social media affects mental health. Only a few people have read this but I went on to to show my local MP who kindly set up a meeting and I talked about this issue, about how I want a change. I then emailed it to the NHS and it is being used in training to those who are learning about the effects of mental health. And still to this day, the problem remains. How many more people is it going to take until bullying and mental health is taken seriously and something is done about it. We need to stop preaching about it and act upon it. My family know how much mental health awareness means to me, it's my passion alongside writing and helping people. Because I know from personal experience how lonely it can be. I was diagnosed with mental health problems and it has destroyed me. So I know what it is like to feel so alone, so broken that you feel like you only have one option to escape the pain that is numbing you and it's not fair. I feel it every day, every minute, it never goes away. It's a darkness that lingers over me and torments me, bullying me, bringing me down at every chance it can get. It's a vicious cycle. But I set up this blog to help those who are sadly feeling the same thing, to show them they're not alone. I'm an empath. So stories like this hit me hard. Caroline didn't deserve this. Not only is the press to blame for this tragedy but the online bullies, the ones who use their platform to bring others down because it makes them feel good about themselves. It sickens me that someone can have that mindset and I am so angry at our society. I wish I could talk to every single bully who thought it was okay to torment Caroline and anyone else they have felt the need to bring down and ask them this. Is this worth it? Is it worth a life being taken from the world because they felt like it was the only way out to escape your cruel, vicious words. I urge those who write the words, like the pictures targeting someone's appearance, just stop before you press send. THINK about how that comment will hurt someone, how that like will make someone feel so small, and just imagine what it would be like to be on the receiving end of your words. People will preach about mental health and then it will be forgotten about within days and it needs to change. Mental health is everyday, so please let this be a wake up call that this is NOT a joke anymore and people can only take so much.
'In a world where you can be anything, be kind'
Be kinder to people. Check on your family, your friends, those around you and never stop talking about mental health. Don't just talk about it for that one day, talk about it everyday. Go out of your way and tell someone how proud you are of them, it could make their day that bit better. Life is too precious. Stop treating it like it's a one off thing because it never goes away, support is always needed no matter what.
I also want to include in this post to go over to Stephanie Davis Instagram and watch her video. Also, please sign this petition that she created to stop the exploitation of people in the public eye. https://t.co/0PDog4InRh?amp=1
We can do this and when this change happens I will cry with happiness. This is what I've wanted for the longest time. It's why I started this blog. It's why I spoke with the MP about this issue. I am still trying to speak with more people to raise more awareness. I want to do everything I can by using my writing and words to fight for a change in mental health awareness. Stephanie is doing amazing so please sign the petition and pass it on. It takes not even a minute so do it, it's so important. This is for Caroline, for those who have been affected by suicide. This is for people like me who suffer everyday with mental health problems. To those who are still on the waiting list to be seen. And, this is for the angels who are sadly not here with us, who had so much to give but the world was too cruel. We will do this.
A helpline that has really helped me in the past is 'Shout', it's a 24/7 anonymous text service and they are really friendly. Text 85258. Or call Samaritans 116 123. There is always someone to talk to and there will be someone who will listen. You are never alone.
My dm's are always open @_aimeedarling_
My personal account is @aimeebryann
Or send me an email to aimeebryanxoxo@gmail.com
BE KIND.
<3
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