It doesn't have to be forever.

You know that feeling when you cry for no reason, then you cry because you can't believe you're actually crying for no reason. That feeling when someone tells you your hair isn't sitting perfectly the way it was when you last looked at it in the mirror and you cry. That feeling of hopelessness.

Crying is a pretty big indicator, but sometimes you still don't realise that you're depressed until someone tells you. But then that makes you all the more depressed because you know that someone has been watching you closely for some time.

But then there's that feeling you get when your phone lights up with a phone call and the person on the other end of the phone tells you you got the job. The feeling of relief when you see your bank account after your first pay day. And the grin you can't wipe off your face when you buy those jeans you've been dreaming about for the past 12 months.

Depression hits everyone differently and everyone gets through it and deals with it differently. It could be that one phone call that could be the turning point or it could be a more lengthy process. But hang in there... Depression doesn't have to be forever.

Stick Ya Stigma! - The War Against Stigma

Everyone has Mental Health, even you, just the same as everyone has Physical Health. But are you a victim of discrimination if you have cancer or a broken limb? No. You know where the doctors and the hospitals are, and you go, no questions asked. But what about those people suffering from a mental illness such as depression, Anxiety, Psychosis or even an Eating Disorder? Just like a cancer patient or someone with a broken limb, these people aren’t feeling 100%. Mental Illness is just the same as any Physical Illness; it’s a malfunction of the human body. Sometimes Mental Illnesses can just happen, like diabetes or asthma.

What is stigma? The dictionary says it’s a mark of disgrace or a bad reputation. But essentially it’s discrimination. 1 in 4 young people will experience a Mental Illness in the next 12 months. Those young people are then likely to face isolation & discrimination just for having an illness. Discrimination is ugly and can prolong the illness. Often, stigma can even be worse than the illness itself.

The biggest problem with Mental Illnesses is the negative attitudes of others. So next time you use a word like 'psycho' or 'schizo', think about what your words could potentially do to that person’s recovery.

It’s important to talk about Mental Health because recovery and management IS possible. Most people can recover from a Mental Illness if they receive help early. But around 2 thirds of people with a Mental Illness don’t receive treatment because of stigma.

At the moment, the Mental Health Stigma stands its ground. But we can fight stigma by uniting together as a community to say STICK YA STIGMA! On the 8^th of June, an army of young people, students, adults and members of the general public created a stir by walking and singing around Brisbane in costume and with masks. These people are fighting to break down the walls of stigma so that people with a Mental Illness can receive treatment and support without feeling disempowered.

You can help fight the war against stigma by educating yourself about Mental Health, being aware of the words you use, supporting those who have a Mental Illness and by sharing your story. For more information about Mental Health, Mental Illnesses and Stigma go to these sites:

http://www.mentalhealthvic.org.au
http://www.health.gov.au
http://www.youthbeyondblue.com
http://www.headspace.org.au
http://www.openminds.org.au
Or Google “Mental Health”

1% Crush

I was introduced to the percentage crush concept a few years ago. I was with a group of girls and we sat around in a circle and spoke about boys, of course. I won't say who or where because that would be breaking the secret girl's code, or confidentiality, which ever you'd like to call it.

So, a 1% crush is that feeling that you have for someone you just MIGHT care about a little bit. Then it moves on to a 5% crush, which is when you decided that you DO care about him a little bit. And so it goes on. The higher the % the more you like him. You catch my drift.

So anyway, the point of this post is just to put it out there. We all have at least one 1% crush. Even me. Who's your 1% crush?