Have you ever felt like you’re at the bottom of a black hole? Not wanting to socialize or struggling to do even the most menial of tasks? Perhaps you feel like sleeping longer than usual yet feel tired all the time? Maybe you can’t see your way out of your current situation and feel hopeless, suicidal even? You could be having mental health issues.
A large percentage of people will suffer from mental health concerns in their lifetime. Some of the issues will come and go, often undiagnosed. It’s not something you need to be ashamed of if you feel that something isn’t right talk to someone.
Women are better at talking about their feelings so it can mean men are more susceptible to suffering in silence. Shocking statistics reveal that there are:
- 16 Suicides a day in the UK
- 75% of suicides are men
- particularly vulnerable are young men under 30
- The World Health Organisation predicted years ago that by 2020 depression would be the #1 mental health issue.
Having suffered from undiagnosed depression I reached a place where I became suicidal, so the latest episode of Let’s Get Real is something that resonates deeply with me. Watch the video above as the panel discuss mental health issues. You can also read my testimony: Suicidal Woman turns on the TV. You’ll be amazed at what happens next!
Let’s Get Real About Mental Health
The Let’s Get Real panel, Alison, Sue, Chris and Cece have all had to deal with mental health issues in one way or another and share five things to get you started on the road to recovery:
5 Steps to getting help
- Talk to someone, speak to your doctor, pastor, a christian counsellor, a trusted friend;
- Don’t beat yourself up;
- Don’t let shame stop you from sharing how you feel;
- Seek prayer but also allow yourself to use medical intervention if necessary; and
- Be kind to yourself and spend time with people that fill your love tank up!
Alison is passionate about helping people struggling with their mental health. “One in four of us will experience some form of mental health challenge at some point in our life,” she says. “It will affect us or someone we know and the difference between moving from negative mental health into mental illness is a diagnosis.”
Sue shares how she feared she had ME when depression caused a massive physical impact in her life, leaving her immobilized. Chris reminds us that “There’s only one savior and it’s not you or I.” It’s wise advice to spend time with the Lord, remembering His words in Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest”.
Suffering from depression can leave us feeling tired and one of the ways to escape the reality of what your facing is through sleeping. Cece talks about excessive sleep after the trauma she went through. “I just wanted to escape,” she says. She also talks about Mental health being very much connected to shame and not wanting to bring shame on the family.
Jayne Banful is this episode’s special guest. She is a counsellor, life coach, pastor and the author of ‘Lessons From The Chair: 12 Empowering Lessons from the Therapist’s Chair’. A former fashion journalist, Jayne shares how the Lord moved her away from fashion journalism into counseling. She explains how God spoke to her during her own mental health healing, “You used to dress people on the outside, but now I’m calling you to dress My people on the inside”.
Whatever mental health challenge you may be facing, don’t suffer in silence and allow shame to hold you back. If you need to talk, find someone to share how you are feeling! Most of all remember you’re not alone!
This article was written by UK author and speaker, Deborah Armin who is a graduate of the London School of Theology. Her book On My Way Home: One Woman’s Journey in Search of the Unknown God, is published by Authentic Media. Deborah is also a staff writer for GODTV.com.
Read more about Let’s Get Real including details of other episodes available online.
Don’t miss Let’s Get Real on GOD TV on Mondays at 9.30pm with replays on air on Tuesday at 2 pm, Wednesday at 10 am and Fridays at 3 pm. Or watch the the episode above.