Mental Health : Reach Out

I was so tired yesterday (10 Oct) after work that i simply slumped unto the car seat and relaxed for the long journey home.

Then i saw "her". You would think its a moving mass of packed trash. But underneath it was a frail smallish mentally ill old woman. The weight of all that trash she had packed and bundled safely lest she lost any kept her crouched as she shuffled along the side walks on the high street. I shook my head and sighed ????

300 meters away, there kneeling by the sidewalk was a "man". He appeared upset and frustrated trying to gather his "wares". It took me a second to notice he was also mentally ill as i got sucked into the frustration and apparent discomfort of the man. His bundle of old dirty clothes and rags had fallen off and he was worried. They are his "possessions". I doubted his abilty to carry it and wished i could help him pack it. Sadly...the traffic gave way and i was removed from the scene.

I kept pondering about the scenes and whilst lost in thought, a buddy sent me a chat. "Good to stray from sad thoughts" i muttered to myself. But Delicia wanted to talk about her friend who was mentally ill and committed suicide to years ago today. He was "normal" and the pictures i saw of him were exciting. " Del, are you sure? Dude looks super happy in the photo you took with him" i said. She explained it was a few days before the depression got the better part of him and he ended it all. So we talked. And talked.

Then it dawned on me...its not a choice. Some loads and burdens are physical. Like the two o saw. Yet, depressed people carry same only its not visible and its difficult to describe it.

Like the two people i saw, they also worry about their "load". And the weight crushes them gradually to the ground. That is why they feel heavy.

10th October is World Mental Health Day.

Remember not every "load" is visible.

Look out. Reach out. Help out.

Its Real . Its here.