Many of us want to scream with frustration regularly,

frustration with the ups and downs of recovery,

frustration with a mental health system which is wrought with holes and voids,

frustration at feeling helpless while trying to deal with family members so deep in the pit that they can’t see your hand extended in front of their faces reaching to grab their’s to help them climb out.

There are things we can do to help, they may not seem to make a difference but I promise you they do.

Imagine Mental Illness as a pile of shattered debris.

Every time we smile, we lift away a piece.

Every time we listen without Judgement, we lift away a piece.

Every time we add a spoon of tea to the pot for a friend, we lift away a piece.

Every time we speak of mental illness weakening the taboo, we lift away a piece.

I spent today at a Local Government Public Consultation in relation to Mental Health Services in this region. It was an opportunity to express our frustration, to name the holes in which we fell, to point our fingers at the voids, and most importantly to say how we can best be helped and supported as patients and carers. This was our opportunity to have a say in what they think we need.

These opportunities do not come often so seize them!

This month is Mental Health Month, Today is World Mental Health Day, This week is Mental Health Week, Join with me and raise our voices to raise Awareness of Mental Health.