Cheerful Conversation || Join in the Fun!!
Hello everyone!
The wonderful @RumpleSteeleSkin and I decided it would be a nice idea to collaborate together and create a cheerful conversation regarding self-care and depression!
Mental illnesses impact our everyday lives and can often leave us feeling hopeless and alone. Were here today to answer and ask some questions to brighten your day, even in the slightest.
Here are some facts for you:-
1 in 4 people struggle with a mental illness at some point in their life. Depression is the predominant mental health problem worldwide, followed by anxiety, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
20% of teenagers may experience a mental health problem in any given year.
50% of mental health problems are established by the age of 14 and 75% by the age of 24.
You most certainly are NOT alone.
Lets talk about it and break the stigma surrounding mental health! 
Before we begin the discussion, Id like to check-in with everyone! Instead of putting a number against how you feel, try and put it into words! Were here to support you the best we can. How are you doing today? 
1): Would you be able to tell us what mental illnesses you are currently struggling with/have struggled with in the past?
2). We know having mental illnesses makes us struggle a lot sometimes. Doing simple things such as: self-care, eating and sleeping can really be difficult to do. What are some things you struggle with?
3). Now that we have identified our struggles in day to day life regarding our mental illnesses, can you think of some things which you can enjoy and manage? (For example: feeding your pets, listening to music, watching a film, having a bath/shower)
4). Self care can look and mean different to each and every one of us. How would you define self-care? And, how often do you do it?
5). We often forget to do something for self-care when we are helping out friends and family. Sometimes we are so selfless that we dont look after ourselves! Do you have any thoughts on how to balance out caring for others but also treating yourself right? (An example would be: Turning your phone off for an hour and doing some reading, going for a walk alone to get some fresh air, etc.)
6). Could you list 5 different things you could do for self-care?
7). Speaking of friends and family, the often offer support and kind gestures towards us on a regular basis. What is the best compliment you have ever received? How did it make you feel? (For example: You look great today! or… Your smile really brightens my day.)
8). So we talked about what are mental illnesses are, your struggles, self-care and family/friends. Now lets try to look at the positive side of things. Is there something you do that helps you cope with your mental illness? (scrapbooking, making music, art and crafts)
9). Sometimes we find ourselves struggling to look to the future as our focus is all on our present day to day lives and trying to fight off our mental illnesses the best we can. Despite this, have you been thinking about making a goal for yourself, do you already have one? If so, what little steps are you taking to achieve that goal? (For example: Get good grades at school, have a more positive outlook on life, etc.)
10). Weve talked a lot about self-care and making a change to your life to try and make yourself feel better, despite battling your mental illnesses. Could you share one thing that you may try out in the next few days to see if it improves your mood? What effects do you think may occur when you do this?
Thank you so much for reading this thread, let us know your answers to the questions in the reply section. Wed absolutely love to hear your responses.
In addition, do you have a question youd like to ask others to answer? (For example: How long have you been struggling with mental illnesses? Or.. What is something that you are thankful for today)
Lets get this discussion going!
For any members of the forum team: Both of us really enjoyed this collaboration and would love to do more in the future. If youd like to help out or have any ideas, PM either of us!
Resources:-
Mind - A UK Mental Health Charity
Hotlines for any sort of mental illness!
Tagging some people from the Depression Support Sub-Community:-
@1234567891011 @1BRAVEWOMAN @6sincere @7cupsofteaDG @AdaptableMess @Ady23 @akliis @AliceAllAlone @amusingHuman5441 @Annaxelia @Anomalia @Arachibutyrophobia1 @AsifAbro @azureNest7472 @bbybritt @BeautifulMindLetsTalk @believeintimeandyoursoul @BellaFreedom @bestVase7265 @bgdave @BlissfulSummer @BonnieHeart @booklover211 @brendenjensen @BridgetAileen @brightLand1667 @BrightRedFlower2322 @Brooke91 @BurkeDevlin @Butterfly09 @capedcrusader10 @carefulBike4928 @Cathrithis @Celaeno @Charise23 @Charlie33 @charmingFriend8090 @chasz @Cheetah21 @Chimmysmallz @Chiyo @ChloeTheDuck @colorfulRainbow75 @comfortableWings52 @ComfortingForest @Compassion21 @Confused197 @conscientiousBike9394 @countrygirl1231 @creativeMagic26 @cricketCat @cuddlyWaterfall12 @cynchacat @daisylee @Dancersoul @deathdream13 @Demus @DepressedNLost22 @Diandra @DililahRose @Dillion @discreetEast1092 @Dispenser14 @DistressedDad @doej @Driftingintowandering @Elizabeth1s @emndee @enchantingvision94 @essdee @faefaerie93 @FallenBird1234 @FantasyChapters @fearlessOak3002 @fearlessWriter78 @FreckleFox @freshHug78 @fruityVision @gardenlady @generousMoon9614 @GentleRayn511 @Georgia @Gwrtheyrn @HalliwellSister @HandyEars @harrytheunicorn @HappyLady19 @heartfulHeart81 @himesky @imperialsnake22 @Indifferent @intelligentString @Introvert73 @InventiveSouth @IsaboeOfLumatere @IvyJenkins @Jaqqq @Jascoo @Jeta41 @Joe2017 @John04 @JosieKat @joycejoycejoyce @JoyIntoDarkness @jr50 @Kittikatmow @KnightInWhite @KnocktournalMonkey @krissylynn2 @LadyKnightInWhite @Letsbefriends222 @limeLion2866 @ListenMoreTalkLess @Littlepurplelady @Littleredx @Liv @locsoflovin @Lollipop92 @LorryLulu @Lovelaughspread72 @LovelyKittyCat @lovelySunshine13 @LoveonmyArm @lucidpanic @mahoganyecho @MaisieDaisy @Markysim1 @Meeshyell @Meliza1234 @Mellietronx @MikkRozzWhuh91 @Minardi @Mindflight @missellencat @MissRoxxy @MissZ @MonBon @MorningStar610 @Mrcheeku @MsMiniMe @Nagisa @navylady @NeWoman @Nicola2468 @NihilNovi @Nikkijay @Nonalia3 @OliveCar4161 @OnceaCoward @OneOddSock @PassionatePeyton @peachPomegranate7908 @pinkTiger254 @plantkissed @poisontongue @potatofriend @PuppyLove13 @quietDime4559 @Ratheruncreativescreenname @Raya501 @Reboot85 @Reeseyreese @Roisin2016 @Rosypink06 @Sarra @Savchambo @scales316 @SelfDestructiveReconstruction @Serena44 @Shadeshack @ShaiB @Shanti41 @silverRainfall65 @smallturtle7 @SoftForestHSP77 @Softjoy55 @Solitaryshadow @sonzz @Sqllover928 @squidbob101 @SquirrellyOranged @Stark3 @Sues4958 @Summerlove15 @SunnyTea @TabbyPhoenix @teapls @Tellyc @Thanx9871 @TheHuggleMonster @thesameboat26 @ThomasHs @Tlovins1997 @tobecontinued @Tomboyktm @Torin @toughGrapes7554 @tranquilForever68 @undefinedKeionaaaking @uselesscookies @warmheartedCity185 @WhimsicalDancer @wildatheart88 @WithGraceIWillHeal @WolfGirlKari @wtwta @xxsaharaxx @Yayoe10 @ZizyTheTurtle
*this taglist is simply being used to notify you of this post, it will not be re-used!*
I appreciate you taking the time to put this thread up. However would you consider asking just one or two questions per day it's alot to answer all at once and after I've clicked on the notification then left the page I don't know how to get back to it.
@Compassion21
Sure, thanks for the feedback! We've taken it into account. Hope you're having a good day.
@Compassion21
Hi we will definatly think on this the next time we do one of these
I have bipolar and general and social anxiety.
2. I struggle with eating, sleeping, and waking up for work as well as exercises and house cleaning.
I can enjoy grooming and petting my cat, organize or clean a small area, listen to an audio book with candles lit.
4. Self care I define it as eating healthy, exercise, relaxing, and bathing.
5. Care for others and self balance both.
I would set limits clearly with people, such as I can help you pack to move but only for an hour. Then spend spare time on me.
@Compassion21
Thank you so much for participating in thisI too struggle a bit with socail anxiety-but I have been working on skills and going out to stores and stuff as to work on when I feel anxious. Eating and balancing sleep, motivation to clean and exercise are very hard to do when you have symptoms. But some how we do complete most of these but its still a struggle. Caring for animals, taking on a project but make things smaller and audioe books are all wonderful things to do to help you on self care. I love all my animals and they do at times keep us busy Yes I agree Self care and eating healthy, exercise, relaxing, and bathing are all great things to show self care.
6. Five things for self care. Write in diary, or journal
Relax
Sleep
Take walk
Talk to someone
@Compassion21
All those things listed are great ways to take care of yourself! Thanks for sharing, lovely! Self care isn't just important, it is necessary.
Exercise. Effects, more awake
@blossombreathe I love this idea so much, this is absolutely so sweet!! :3
1): I struggle with depression, generalized and social anxiety disorders, OCD, and something like DID :')
2). I struggle a lot with self esteem and self care, and talking to people or even just going out in public is always a hard thing to do. I also struggle with motivation and getting things done, and some smaller things like brushing my teeth, or getting up in the mornings.
3). I can enjoy and manage reading, showering, petting the cats, listening to music, and writing!
4). Self care, to me, is taking time to recharge, and to feel less stressed and let go of worries. I have a really hard time taking time off for self care, especially during the school year.
5). Maybe taking some breaks from 7 cups every now and again, and taking time to write and to read so that I can feel good, too!
6). I forget what this question was :') Whoops!!
7). My friends like to let me know that I have a lot of love to give and that they really appreciate me, and it makes me feel really warm and great that I could help them out! <3
8). Writing and singing both really help me!
9). My goals tend to vary. Sometimes, they're as simple as showering once a day, and other times they're to get all of my homework done without extensions. My long term goals include going to college, and having a garden and lots of cats :P I do my best to focus on those and I try not to stress too much!
10). I think I'm going to try to stay focused on homework by closing down all other tabs, and by going to the library to do some research in a place that isn't home! I may also talk to my teachers and be honest, because I think that letting them know what's going on could help them to understand that I'm not lazy, and that I really do try! Hopefully, getting things done will make me feel less stressed, and I'll feel empowered :)
