This campaign kicks off on World Mental Health Day. But we don’t want it to end there.
When it comes to Mental Health, people can’t always believe what they can’t see so we decided to launch the Visibility Cloak.
Coz F*CK being invisible, and struggling alone.
How does it work? Below are 10 Truths & Ways to Cope by our neurodivergent founder, Christine.
If you’ve ever experienced any kind of mental health struggle, or have a truth to tell, please share this across your socials.
We’ll re-share to create a virtual Visibility Cloak.
Together, we can stick it to stigma.
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It‘s not just mental, it’s physical too. From headaches to muscle aches, when the mind takes over, it moves fast. Sometimes it hurts so bad, you think there’s something else wrong, so it actually helps to remind yourself that the root is elsewhere
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Getting caught off-guard is the norm. I often describe it as a calm day at the beach turning into a tsunami without warning. And sometimes as the waves keep crashing into you, there’s little chance of control – riding it out is the only option. Mantra: “This too shall pass”
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When other people try to help they are often making it worse. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, so it can be counterproductive when people try to apply generic fixes to your situation. Empathy and understanding shouldn’t be stifling or overwhelming. Space means space
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Anxiety, panic attacks, hypochondria, and OCD pair really well with depression. It’s like unwillingly opting into a very complex tasting menu you didn’t really ask for. Mental health veterans will know that by the time you “resolve” one issue, the next one rears its ugly head
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We know our kind. I’ve often described it as having a secret power, one where you can know almost immediately when someone is in the Depression Club. I find it comforting because it’s nice to meet someone that “gets you” – it can help alleviate the feeling of loneliness
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Drugs can help, but can damage too. Being dependent on anything is bad, so the main skill to hone is being able to function without being under the influence. It takes time, patience, pain and perseverance, but the ROI is a game changer. Plus you become incredibly self aware and a superhuman
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There’s no cure, there’s only control and maintenance. If you’re hoping for a miracle, stop. But don’t despair because once you’ve accepted that this is life, the next best step is to own it. Share or keep a lid on it, but know that bizarrely, this can become your superpower
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Depressed people don’t look depressed. When chaos is your internal state, there’s very little that can phase you in the outside world. In fact, you become the sort of person that thrives in situations where most people sink. Shock, drama and horror? Bring it on – this, is your superpower
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Err…Triggers. They are unpredictable and random things that could send you down a spiral. The speed at which your brain makes links is very impressive – something as benign as a potato can cause you to reassess your life, resulting in an emotional episode
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Mood swings are very real. You can go from dark to light in seconds or minutes – and that’s often hard for others to understand. If you’re just starting out on your depression appreciation journey it can be tricky to maneuver, but it gets easier with time. Trust the process
