Everybody Hurts

"When your day is long and the night, the night is yours alone, when you're sure you've had enough of this life, well hang on. Don't let yourself go, 'cause eveybody cries and eveybody hurts sometimes"

Michael Stipe, R.E.M

Myths & Facts about Mental Health

There are a number of myths and misconceptions surrounding mental health issues. These myths and misconceptions contribute to the stigma surrounding mental health problems. By challenging these myths, we can help reduce the fear and lack of understanding of mental health issues.

“You don’t get better from mental illness or depression”
False: Most people who suffer from a mental illness completely recover

“Mental illness means you’re crazy”

False: The most “normal” people can have breakdowns or suffer from depression. It can be you, a parent, your boss or girlfriend. We don’t think of people with a flu or any other illness as crazy so why do we see people with a mental illness as crazy.

“Mental illness is rare and not normal”
False: Mental illness is very common. The problem is we don’t speak about it. 1 in 4 of us suffers from depression at some point in our lives. 1 in 10 teens experience serious depression.


“Depressed People are just lazy or weak-willed”
False: One of the symptoms of depression is exhaustion or inability to concentrate. When someone is treated for their depression, they can regain their energy and enthusiasm for life.

Mental Health

Here are some tips on how to mind your mental health:

• Accept yourself: We are all different and nobody is perfect. Everyone has something to offer so don’t be too hard on yourself.
• Get involved:  Meeting people and getting involved in new things will make you feel better.
• Keep active: Regular exercise can really help to give your mental health a boost. It can help you feel more positive.
• Eat healthily: Eating a balanced diet will not only help the way you feel, but it will also help the way you think.
• Stay in touch with friends: You don’t have to be “strong” and struggle on alone. Friends are important in tough times.
• Relax: Make time to relax.
• Do something creative: All kinds of creative things can help when you are anxious or low e.g cookery, gardening.
• Don’t binge drink: Drinking alcohol to deal with problems will only make things worse.
• Talk about it: Many of us can feel isolated and overwhelmed by problems sometimes. Talking about how you feel will help.
• Ask for help: Don’t be embarrassed about getting help for your mental health. Everyone needs help from time to time and in fact, asking for help shows a sign of personal strength.