It's good to talk

In the 90s Bob Hoskins got paid a lot of money by British Telecom to persuade us that 'It's good to talk'. I tell students I work with the same thing in terms of mental health. If we're struggling, it is good to work our way through things by talking, reflecting on what areas of life we have struggled with and what the answers may be. One student commented that people must be sick of hearing about his particular situation, but I like the analogy of 'peeling an onion' - as long as there are layers there, one needs to keep talking. This, in partnership with constructive discussion about coping strategies, is essential. If we told a grieving widow that it was time to stop talking about the death of her husband now, it had gone on long enough, that would be ludicrous. Time is needed in some situations as we learn new ways of finding hope and balance.

One story that really touched me in the news this weekend was that of three dads walking 300 miles and raising £500,000 for a suicide awareness charity, Papyrus.

All three of them lost their daughters to suicide. I cannot imagine what it must be like for parents of a child who has died by suicide. I do however know what it's like to feel at the depths of despair like there is no way. During a time of anxiety and depression a few years ago I had the love and support of those around me but I was also talking through therapy and CBT. These things helped me find ways of examining my thinking and of finding new ways of coping with my symptoms. These three dads don't want any other parent to go through what they went through and will go through for the rest of their lives. Papyrus provide confidential support and advice to young people struggling with thoughts of suicide so that they can find different ways of dealing with their thoughts and situations and find a way out.

If you are aged 11 - 25 or have a child of this age who is struggling with their mental health, please get in touch. Online counselling and wellbeing sessions from Poston Wellbeing available at £30 per hour. It's good to talk.