What’s one of the best mental health tips you’ve ever been given?
We recently asked you, our beautiful Voices of Hope community, to share some of the best mental health tips and advice you have ever received. You all shared such beautiful things that we wanted to share some of them in the hopes that it will inspire those who need a bit of hope.
- This too shall pass. Even on your worst of days, please know that this too shall pass. What if, what if things could turn out better than you could ever imagine? Entertain that thought.
- Give yourself the same patience & care that you would give to a close friend.
- Talk to someone you trust.
- You shouldn't stop your growth because someone is uncomfortable.
- Sh*t makes good fertiliser. New things will grow from this.
- You may not always see the results of your kindness but every bit of positive energy you contribute to the world makes it a better place for us all.
- One day at a time and if that’s too much, then one hour at a time. And if that’s too much, then minute by minute, second by second. All you have to do right now is survive, moment to moment. The future will worry about itself.
- You can have all the therapy and counselling but at the end of the day, it's you who needs to make the change to fight.
- “Be courageous enough to choose to live the life you want and deserve,” - my old psychologist. Those with mental illness are among some of the bravest humans for getting up every day and choosing to fight. Sending love to anyone struggling at the moment. The world is a better place with you in it.
- It gets brighter. I love this quote because it infers the visual effect of depression. It’s almost like you see everything through dark or grey lenses. Everything, even things you love, seem duller and darker. When you have brighter lenses, it still hurts and is hard, but it’s not as dull and you see and feel things better. Someone also once told me, “I hope you fall in love with being alive again,” and it still gives me goosebumps to this day.
- This is the hard part, but it’s not going to be like that forever. Someday you’ll look back and be so proud of yourself.
- The first reaction of your brain or your first thoughts about something aren't necessarily how you really feel about something or what you think. You don't have to judge yourself for your reactions to something. It is okay to feel it all.
- Not everything is black and white. There is a spectrum of colours some which are ugly, some which are meh and some which are beautiful. All of these are needed in a beautiful painting.
- It’s not easy being brave but that’s how you find your strength.
- ‘Don’t make a permanent decision based on temporary feelings.’
- Their a light at the end of the tunnel. You just can't see it yet.
- The quickest way through a difficult emotion is straight through the middle - every minute you spend avoiding it or denying it, it will only extend the feeling. Whereas every day you spend sitting with it, acknowledging it, and working on it equals one day less in the long run.
- Grounding exercises have been extremely helpful. Pause and find a few things you can see, hear, taste, smell, and touch.
- Emotions are neither good nor bad. They are simply just feelings.
- Your feelings are always valid, but you don’t always have to hold onto them. You can wrap them up in a little box, set them aside and come back if you really feel the need to, if not, you can move on from this feeling.
Is there anything you’d add to the list? Let us know!
Voices of Hope wants you to know that you do not have to do this alone. Click here to 'find help' - it's not weak to speak!