ColzoArt - Artist and Illustrator 
I wrote this a few years ago, but it is worth writing it again.
As world mental health day rolls around, yet again, I feel like I wanted to write something.
But, what I want to write won’t be polished and clean!
Every year, we hear “it’s good to talk” or to “reach out” – the problem with this rhetoric is that the onus and the pressure is placed upon the person who is facing the mental health crises or perhaps even a longer term condition.
Those of us who live with mental health conditions or illnesses don’t need that extra pressure to reach out and ask for help. Quite often we already feel like a burden or that we are too much. Or we have already asked and the help isn’t there.
What we need is on these awareness raising days, which I think are actually important is that the conversation is changed.
Instead of telling those who are already struggling to reach out and ask for help, how about more people are encouraged to reach in, to ask the questions of our friends – how are they really doing?
Instead of placing pressure on those who are struggling with their mental ill-health, why aren’t we placing further pressure on governments, councils, or authorities to create ease of access and reduced waiting lists?
Why do we have to wait for a person to reach crisis and even then, be told that there is a really long waiting list?
So, yes, lets raise awareness – let’s shout about mental health all the year round – BUT for the love of all things beautiful, let’s change the narrative.
I was unbelievably fortunate to have been able to access therapy through the women’s centre, but if I had gone through the NHS route, I have no idea how long I would have needed to wait.
The time is now. Let’s put the pressure on, but lets put the pressure on the right people – not those who are struggling.
As most, if not all of you know, I’m a Christian, and I can’t help but think about how we needed God to reach into us where we were at rather than us reaching out to Him. Because I know I wouldn’t have reached out – I was too aware of my own guilt and sin to come before a holy God. It took for God to reach into my situation.
I’m so thankful for the friends who reach in. I try to be that person for others – but it’s something I need to get better at, so I’m writing this as much to myself as everyone else. Let us be those who reach into others situations.
