Hero photograph
 
Photo by QHS

Student Voice - Mental Health

Charlotte Bathgate —

Dealing with mental health isn't always as easy as it seems, but it isn't impossible.

Mike King is one of my biggest heroes; he inspires me, and thousands of others. He is someone who is better known for his work as a comedian but more so these days as a prominent mental health educator and Ambassador for both, I Am Hope and the Key to Life Charitable Trust. He uses an unorthodox approach when talking to youth and wider communities; sharing his struggles with his “inner critic'' and allowing people to recognise that everyone has problems and it's OK to ask for help. 

Mike's approach to teaching youth about what's going on in their head, isn't that you are sick or unwell but what's going on is that “you have an overactive inner critic” this is something Mike said to me many times, and it's completely true.  It's all about controlling your “inner critic” and learning how to cope with it, and control when its taking over your head space and putting you into a depressive state. 

 Although suicide prevention is the big picture, Mike doesn't actively discuss it. He chooses to concentrate on delivering a hopeful message and connecting people, services and resources within the community. Mike does community talks, loads of fundraising and is so inspiring. Mike and his team, has also helped me on my own personal journey of freeing myself from my “inner critic”, through his I Am Hope Foundation.

Dealing with mental health is different for everyone.  What is important is how YOU deal with it and making sure it is a healthy way of healing.  Being depressed, anxious or just having a bad day is completely normal. Everybody feels it at some time and this is incredibly important to keep in your mind. When you're feeling like your at a low point you need to remember that being alone is going to stop you from discussing and healing from this horrible way of feeling. What you need to remember is that this is a completely normal thing that everybody experiences and that no one is going to judge you for feeling these completely normal and valid feelings.

Talk to somebody, because I can almost guarantee they are feeling or have felt this way before and might offer some advice or just a hand to hold through your difficult time.  You need to reach out and stay as connected as possible. I felt a lot worse when I kept it to myself. I felt like I was stuck in a black hole that seemed like I couldn't get out of, and that's where I would be stuck forever but I started talking about how I was feeling even though I couldn't really explain it.  Letting it out made my life so much easier, it felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulders which is why, if nothing else, I encourage everyone to talk about how their feeling to someone they trust. I’m not saying that it has been a easy road, it's a marathon not a sprint, but please if I could only say one thing to everyone that this will come to an end.  You will feel yourself again, and it may be the old you or it may be a brand new stronger you. I know for sure that I am nothing like I was a year ago. I’m more aware and more understanding. I am stronger. I am better. I AM HOPE!

“Mental health problems don’t define who you are. They are something you experience. You walk in the rain and you feel the rain, but, importantly, YOU ARE NOT THE RAIN.” — Matt Haig