Don't give up.

Poor mental health doesn't have a face. You can't look at someone and think "yep, they're depressed". It's invisible. If you knew me between 2010 to 2016, you probably would have met a seemingly confident, vibrant young person. But that absolutely was not the case. I was hiding in plain sight.

It all started in my teens and early twenties where I struggled with an eating disorder, twinned with OCD - which became a very strange and difficult battle to fight. I had 'good foods' and 'bad foods' with no rhyme or reason to it - prawns and peppers = bad foods, broccoli= good foods, for example. I can look back and laugh at these absolutely wild decisions my brain made, but of course, it was all deeply rooted in a chemical imbalance and my environment at the time.

Experiencing trauma in my later years of university exacerbated my mental health struggles, and I developed a whole series of issues including crippling anxiety, panic, and depression. I created many unhealthy coping behaviours and learnt how to mask how I was really feeling. In my various workplaces through the time I was overlooked due to my difficulties: "I didn't think you'd be able to cope", which made me feel small and even more worthless.

It came to the point where I felt truly desperate and went back and forth to different doctors to try and get help, and finally stumbled upon somebody who listened to me, took me seriously and provided me with regular check-ins, as well as started my journey with SSRIs (and initially propranolol, which caused me to fall asleep when I worked on a reception desk ??). Later on, workplace bullying and stress led to burnout, and I found my strength back again through various therapies, being in nature, music (Kate Bush, ABBA and Fleetwood Mac sent me into another world), and medication.

I want to recognise that there's a huge stigma around taking medication for mental health issues, and I want people to know that if that's the root you are taking - do not feel ashamed. Don't let anyone else dictate your path to recovery. Find a doctor you trust who can keep an eye on how your brain and body takes to the medication. There should never be any shame in taking the steps to recovery. Citalopram saved my life.

I wouldn't say my journey stopped there - it's a lifelong battle. But I've been in recovery for over six years now, and I'm forever grateful to my friends, family, the team PTHR and amazing boyfriend who provide me with the most incredible support network, and have enabled me to really see how important it is to be here and thriving in this world - in which ever way I show up. I feel empowered, fresh, and settled... And most importantly, safe.

Having open and honest conversations about mental health has empowered me to take ownership of my story and advocate for others facing similar issues, and to listen and support when needed. I'm more motivated than ever to fight the stigma surrounding mental health, ensuring that our human openness and compassion replace judgment and misunderstanding.

To anyone reading this, know that it's okay to seek help, to take medication if needed, and to talk? about your struggles. You are never alone.

One of the most important things I've learnt is: You are not your diagnosis. You are a person with unique strengths and personality, and you bring light to this world.

Let’s keep the conversation open - like many of my connections have this #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek, share our truths, and support each other. Every story shared is a step towards a more understanding world.

Love and light x

Note: a huge thank you to my amazing colleagues at People & Transformational HR Ltd who together have created such a compassionate and caring environment to work in. I really don't think I'd feel confident to share my story if it wasn't for them. Love you all!