A word on Mental Health Awareness Week

So it's Mental Health Awareness Week. And I've been sitting scrolling through my Twitter feed getting really quite emotional at the stories and words of support people are sharing on the hashtag. It's brave and inspiring and there's nothing more powerful than knowing so many people are coping with and beating anxiety, depression and a whole host of others every day. This week has inspired me to be open about how I'm feeling - and I have so many of you to thank for that.

If sharing our stories can make even one person feel like they're not alone, or even make someone just a bit kinder or more open to conversations about mental health, it's worth it. Every use of that hashtag reduces the stigma. And speaking as someone who suffers from anxiety, that's such an amazing thing.

There are so many things being shared that ring so true. A person can look fine on the outside but that doesn't mean they're not struggling. I am the absolute best at hiding how I'm really feeling with a smile. People reminding you how lucky you are or to cheer up. Not helpful. It's ok to say you don't know why you're feeling bad, you just do. These are all truths that need to be normalised.

I feel really proud that my agency is celebrating Mental Health Awareness Week with mindfulness sessions, healthy breakfast and talks from some really inspiring people. We should be able to talk about mental health as freely as we would the flu, or a broken ankle. We're definitely not there yet, but we're getting there. And this week is so vitally important in doing that.