Ignorance isn't bliss - it can kill

"Yeah, but are you really sure it's cancer? I mean, maybe you just need a holiday or a rest."

"You don't seem like the sort of person to get cancer"

"hmmm, do you really think you should have that chemotherapy treatment and trust those drugs?"

"Maybe you could change your attitude to life? Then maybe the cancer wouldn't exist?"

"Have you tried yoga? I hear it's great if you have cancer - like, the cancer might not even be there if you did more of that"

"What about running? I hear that's SO great for raising endorphins and blasting that cancer right out!"

Ridiculous, right? And thankfully no one said these ⬆️ to me when I did have cancer.

(Although someone did say that I was 'lucky' it was 'only' skin cancer - despite it having spread to my lymph nodes, stage 3b and on chemo drugs for a year!)

But I DID hear similarly ignorant things during the times I had severe depression, which (thankfully) was last about 5 years ago.

This highlights HOW far there is to go for people to change attitudes and awareness to mental health, mental wellness and mental illness.

So, let's not say (or even think) these things to those who have the courage to share that they suffer with a diagnosed medical condition (often invisible) such as depression.

It's Mental Health Awareness week - and in sharing this I'm hoping to help educate those who aren't as aware.

And I certainly wouldn't have the same level of understanding without first hand experience.

Please listen to, believe those who are suffering, and let them know that you're there for them.

You might just be saving a life.