This is my story….

Some of you may know, but many of you won’t… In 2015 after living the previous 2 years in a world of chaos and confusion, of depression and despair, I was finally diagnosed with bipolar. This diagnosis came as no surprise to me but was a relief, I had a diagnosis I could now get better.

Little did I know the Journey had only just begun. I met with the doctors, never the same one twice, I complied with various medication changes, managing the effects each time they changed, being left for months in between appointments, wondering if what I was experiencing was normal, was I getting better, there was no one there to tell me.

No one tells you about being so tired you can’t lift your head, no one tells you, you are going to sleep for 18 hours a day, no one tells you that your memory fades and you have chunks of your life missing, no one tells you that you lose your social skills, you develop anxiety, no one tells you that you catastrophize everything, no one tells you that you can cry for days and you don’t know why, no one tells you about the suicidal thoughts that haunt you, no one tells you that you lose all the things you used to do, no one tells you, you have no concentration, No one tells you, you are void of emotions, no one tells you that there’s just nothing!!

No one tells you, you may not be able to work, no one tells you, you have to fill out endless forms to get financial help, no one tells you, you have to attend assessment after assessment to prove that you are ill. No one tells you.

I am one of the lucky ones, I had the patience, love, support and understanding of my family and friends and for that I am eternally grateful because without them I probably wouldn’t be here today.

But there are many many people out there who suffer in silence and are alone and scared, they don’t know how to get help, they have no one to talk to and no where to go.

I’m stuck with this illness for the rest of my life, and as much as I would prefer not to be, It’s now part of who I am, so the only thing to do is embrace it with open arms and use my own experiences to help others and reduce the stigma of mental health.

Johnny's Happy Place

http://www.johnnyshappyplace.com

Johnny’s Happy Place provides vital support for the vulnerable in our community, they offer food and drink to those in need, they provide a safe place for people to go and socialise, preventing total isolation, volunteers, many who have experience of their own mental health problems will listen, as well as 2 trained counsellors being available to provide support. Activities are offered, providing people with a purpose and encouraging feelings of self worth. Workshops are available to teach new skills and provide information that is much needed when faced with the issues that mental health problems can cause. They “inspire well being through community and creativity”

Johnny’s happy place is run solely by volunteers and all services offered to those needing support are free of charge. This is why donation’s no matter how big or small are essential to help keep such an important place active in the community.