Sometimes it’s alright not to be alright
Ollie, 25
“I’ve always struggled with depression and anxiety since I was about 15 and never addressed it, so I never felt better. In June 2018, my girlfriend broke up with me and that was like the straw that broke the camel’s back. I felt really low I found things difficult and thought there was no way out.
"I was struggling to cope and thought about suicide as an option when things got really bad. The morning after a particularly bad night, I woke up and knew then that I needed to get help."
I started seeing a counsellor for six months and I felt so much better, learning to deal with things that I had ignored my whole life. She told me to talk to people about how I was feeling.
"I still get anxiety now, but I’ve learnt to live with it. I’m nowhere near that place and I know I can get help and I know what to do now. Admitting I had a problem was the hardest thing. I knew I had to get out of that thought process. I’m so glad I realised I needed to address it. It’s a lot easier to get help sooner.
"When I told my group of friends what I was going through, a few of them put their hands up and told me they knew exactly how I felt, which is why it’s so important to talk to people and get help when you need it. All three of us could have helped each other. We talk a lot now.
"If you’re going through a tough time, the best thing you can do is talk and share it. Sometimes its ok not to be ok, but things can always get better and there are so many more options. Facing your problems is hard and terrifying but it’s much better to get help and get better. Talk about how you feel.
"If sharing my story helps even just one person, then that’s all I could hope for.”
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