Sharing this emotional quote...

[Stormi71]

So in the new year I'm going to study Cert 4 in Mental Health. My mental health issues have helped me, at age 44, to know what I want to do with my life - be a mental healt support worker. Was reading through some reference material tonight and just cried when I read this.  THIS is why I'm doing what im doing.

" It wasn’t until I finally met a carer consultant and some other carers that I realised I wasn’t alone at all – that these overwhelming (and sometimes traumatizing) experiences were really “normal” in the lives of carers. I was overwhelmed because this was genuinely an overwhelming experience. It wasn’t because I was incompetent. Finding out that I wasn’t alone changed everything for me.” 
Wilding 2012 (referenced from cert 4 mental health peer support, national mental health association).

This is why talking about mental health issues is so beneficial. You are not alone. We're all in this together, we'll get through this together. 

[Kathryne]

Thanks for sharing. I too believe we can help and support people who have mental health issues .we need more open discussion and acceptance that mental health is a health issue same as diabetes except rather than dealing with the pancreas one is dealing with the brain. 

[Carmela]

Thank you for sharing your quote. I have been in a relationship for 17 years with a beautiful man who unfortunately suffers with depression. It wasn't until 2 years ago that l realised I just can't and won't do this on my own any longer.  Hence now l am a Carer on this forum and manage a website and blog specifically on this topic.

It takes real courage to be a carer and l believe sometimes this is not recognised by those that we love. But alas, we have other carers to share our experiences with on these forums and who truly understand the struggle.