Darcie Ginger
The Free Your Mind Ball
Fundraising for Young Minds Trust
Story
Hello.
I am Darcie Ginger, 23 years old and I have decided to share my story to spread awareness on young people’s mental health.
At the tender age of 11 I began to self-harm suffering from severe anxiety attacks to the point I could barely breathe and that harming my skin became the only sense of control I would have in my own body.
One night at 14 years old after an erratic outburst, I said my goodbyes to my mum and dad and told them now was my time in an attempted suicide. After my mums supportive words and my dads strength I was pulled down from my second story window.
I was taken to our nearest hospital & immediately blue lighted to Rochford Psychiatric word for mentally ill children.
In the ward I was in I was surrounded by children as young as eight suffering with eating disorders, severe ocd, depression, bipolar, self harming and trauma. The people I conversed with and met in that ward will stay with me for the rest of my life.
After being questioned and tested by doctors I was assessed and released home.
I could see my behaviour was affecting my attitude towards my family and my friends, the feeling of guilt that they constantly had to check on me for what I was doing or where I was was eating me up and I knew I had to change but still struggled with self harm for several years after.
As I grew up I learnt to open up to people around me about my feelings and my emotions, my life slowly began to change. I began to feel progressively confident in talking to others around me about my health and well-being and finally after years of battling with myself could see happiness as a more permanent part of my life. .
May 2017, I self-harmed for what I promised myself would be the last time and it was.
Now at 23 years old almost three years later, healthier and happier than ever in my mental health with my story I would like to spread the message to all children and young adults by hosting a charity ball later this year called The Free Your Mind Ball to encourage how important it is to speak up about your feelings, thoughts and emotions no matter how big or small they may seem.
With that being said not everybody feels like they can talk to somebody they know which is why YoungMinds works closely with outstanding professionals who simply need the funds to continue to support young adults.
75% of mental illnesses start before a child reaches their 18th birthday, while 50% of mental health problems in adult life (excluding dementia) take root before the age of 15.
75% of young people with a mental health problem are not receiving treatment
Any donation big or small makes the biggest of difference.
2019, I am fighting for better resources to allow children and young adults to live healthier/happier lives.
Thank you very much.
Darcie xxx
I am Darcie Ginger, 23 years old and I have decided to share my story to spread awareness on young people’s mental health.
At the tender age of 11 I began to self-harm suffering from severe anxiety attacks to the point I could barely breathe and that harming my skin became the only sense of control I would have in my own body.
One night at 14 years old after an erratic outburst, I said my goodbyes to my mum and dad and told them now was my time in an attempted suicide. After my mums supportive words and my dads strength I was pulled down from my second story window.
I was taken to our nearest hospital & immediately blue lighted to Rochford Psychiatric word for mentally ill children.
In the ward I was in I was surrounded by children as young as eight suffering with eating disorders, severe ocd, depression, bipolar, self harming and trauma. The people I conversed with and met in that ward will stay with me for the rest of my life.
After being questioned and tested by doctors I was assessed and released home.
I could see my behaviour was affecting my attitude towards my family and my friends, the feeling of guilt that they constantly had to check on me for what I was doing or where I was was eating me up and I knew I had to change but still struggled with self harm for several years after.
As I grew up I learnt to open up to people around me about my feelings and my emotions, my life slowly began to change. I began to feel progressively confident in talking to others around me about my health and well-being and finally after years of battling with myself could see happiness as a more permanent part of my life. .
May 2017, I self-harmed for what I promised myself would be the last time and it was.
Now at 23 years old almost three years later, healthier and happier than ever in my mental health with my story I would like to spread the message to all children and young adults by hosting a charity ball later this year called The Free Your Mind Ball to encourage how important it is to speak up about your feelings, thoughts and emotions no matter how big or small they may seem.
With that being said not everybody feels like they can talk to somebody they know which is why YoungMinds works closely with outstanding professionals who simply need the funds to continue to support young adults.
75% of mental illnesses start before a child reaches their 18th birthday, while 50% of mental health problems in adult life (excluding dementia) take root before the age of 15.
75% of young people with a mental health problem are not receiving treatment
Any donation big or small makes the biggest of difference.
2019, I am fighting for better resources to allow children and young adults to live healthier/happier lives.
Thank you very much.
Darcie xxx