I had a mental breakdown in 2012. Ask me anything.
I wasn't properly diagnosed with depression but I was given anti-depressant tablets and sent to a counsellor during my A-levels. I'm still going to see one now at my uni. I'm still actually dealing with quite a lot but I can say that I have a much better knowledge of myself now and the things that can trigger my depression and the days when I feel like total rubbish. So feel free to ask me anything you like.
How does seeing a counsellor at your uni work? In other words, what are the confidentiality rules that apply there?
Hi Hope and Faith,
I went to university for 4 years and have used the counselling service at my university all 4 years. During that time I have had a few different counsellors some which worked and some which didnt. I found the services to be very beneficial for myself. They are completely confidential and will not disclose your information to anyone unless you specify an emergency contact for a serious situation such as harming yourself or others.
That's great :) I always thought that they wouldn't disclose to my professors, but I wasn't sure and that held me back. So this i good news.
No they definitely wont disclose any information to anyone. One time I couldnt submit an assignment on time because I was going through a really tough time and my professor admitted to me that she went to my schools counseling services to confirm that I went to their services and they would not tell her a thing, not even that I went to counseling there. It was really nice to know that cause I felt like it was a really safe place to go.
How do you deal with suicidal thoughts? Have you had any? Do you self harm? Why is self harm considered a bad coping mechanism?
I am in my final year of university and am suffering from anxiety about loneliness and life in general post university. I have a few great friends that I have made at uni but I have none back home. Most of them are returning to their countries after graduation and so I am scared that once they go, I will be left alone and have no one there for me. They all have best friends back home and so have a wider support group however, for me I feel I just have them and my family. I don't talk to anyone about my feelings so any tips on how I can make myself feel better and more optimistic about my future?