My view on Mental Health

Sent in by Hannah, 17, from St Albans

When you think of 'Mental Health', most people assume that it means that you are sitting somewhere in a mental hospital being bandaged up in a room by yourself. But not many people realise that mental health is a huge category that can be anything from a phobia to something more serious like clinical depression. As a teenager, I know what it is like to fall under the category of mental health and to be judged and criticised for it.
Mental health ranges from minor to major, just like any illness. As much as I don't want to call it an illness...it is. It is an invisible illness that should be taken more seriously. We laugh and joke about people with phobias but at the end of the day they are still suffering.

I suffered from panic attacks for 12 months and it was horrible. I lost friends because they thought I was faking because I could do things with my family but not them. My family was my comfort zone. My home was my comfort zone. To lose my friends over it, hurt me. It hurt me that they abandoned me when I needed them the most. It hurt that when they were sad, I would pick them up but when I was sad they'd knock me down.

If you have a friend that is suffering....just by smiling at them and giving them a hug and telling them that you are there for them no matter what...that will make their day I promise you. A smile goes a long way.

If you are suffering, tell someone. As much as you don't want to, in the long run you will be glad you did. Don't feel like a failure or like you are 'a nobody' because everyone can be someone and everyone can do anything they want as long as they put their mind to it.

Support in Herts

Find out about 'Brief Therapy'
Do you need some advice? Youth Connexions Advisers are online to chat to you.
Find your nearest One Stop Shop or Youth Connexions Centre here.
More about mental health and counselling for young people in Herts here.
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