Since the birth of my little girl in 2013, I have battled with depression. It is a part of my life that I have recently been very open and honest about. The recent increase in mental health awareness throughout the media and within our society has definitely helped me to accept that depression is not just something you can shake off. Depression is real and it is happening to so many that we know and love. 

I recently had one of the worst episodes of depression I have had in a long time, and it really got me thinking about how best I can manage it. I have known for a long time that there is a link between alcohol and my mental health, and the odd month of not drinking here and there has been confirmation of that. Confirmation that I have always brushed off because society instills the idea that I need to drink to relax, to be confident and to have a good night. I had already decided to do a year no drinking but putting a solid cause to it will stop me from being tempted to have ‘just one’.

This will be a challenge for me as everybody knows I am a bit of a party animal and like to have a drink! I have lots of social events over the next year but plan to enjoy them fully sober and hope that it may better my personal mental health, whilst raising money and awareness for others.

I am lucky enough to feel able to make choices like this but sadly, others have, and will continue to lose mental health battles which truly breaks my heart. If this post can help raise awareness to just one person I will have achieved something special. 

In a world where you can be anything, be kind <3

Soph xx