Below are 4 empowered people who effectively manage their mental health everyday:
JK Rowling- Depression
2.6 in every 100 people will experience Depression each year. The author, best known for the Harry Potter series described her Depression as ‘a numbness, a coldness and an inability to believe you will feel happy again. All the colour drained out of life.’ Alongside seeking professional help, her turn around point was when she found something that she was truly passionate about.
Stephen Fry – Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar Disorder affects 1-3 in every 100 people at some point in their lives. Stephen Fry was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder at the age of 37, following experience of mental health problems for most of his life. He describes his Bipolar Disorder as ‘massive highs and miserable lows’ and manages his mental illness by identifying key triggers such as alcohol and frequent long haul travel and thus makes positive changes to his lifestyle in order to manage his condition effectively.
Adele- Anxiety
Anxiety affects 4.7 in every 100 people each year. Grammy award-winning artist Adele suffers from anxiety and panic attacks which have previously prevented her from performing at large music festivals. Adele manages her condition by gradually exposing herself to her fears. We have since seen her give an amazing performance at Glastonbury as headline act having previously declined to play there.
Demi Lovato- Self harm
3 in every 100 people experience self-harm each year. Issues such as a lack of self-confidence and pressure pushed the child star to self-harm. “There were times I felt so anxious, almost like I was crawling out of my skin – that if I didn’t do something physical to match the way I felt inside, I would explode”. Demi Levato sought professional help and manages her condition by ensuring that she makes time for herself and meditates. “In order to manage the issue, you have to commit to yourself, mind and soul and remain positive throughout the recovery process.”
Remember; anyone can experience a mental health problem and its nothing to be ashamed of. Altruist Enterprises are an experienced provider of Mental Health First Aid Training and Mental Health First Aid Training Online, evidence-based programmes helping individuals to prevent and identify the early signs of a problem and support people more effectively.
JK Rowling once said, “I have never been remotely ashamed of having been depressed. Never. What’s there to be ashamed of? I went through a really tough time and I am quite proud that I got out of that.”