This is part-shitpost, part-completely serious. From personal experience, I think it can be tempting to sit in sadness by yourself. It's probably why I've spent a large amount of time watching RU-vid over the years, as an escape. We can even suffer in silence 'productively' by binge watching videos about how to improve our lives. And then never act on them. Maybe you clicked on this video looking for a 10-minute essay with the 'answers'. Honestly, I think the answer is to get off RU-vid and out of your own head, by talking to someone. Humans are social creatures. Ideally, you could talk to friends and family about what you're going through. But I know that's not always possible. Here are some avenues (in the UK) to talk about what's weighing on your mind, to someone professional. Talk to someone right now: Samaritans (over 18) - 116 123 Childline (under 19) - 0800 1111 National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK - 0800 689 5652 Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) - 0800 58 58 58 (5pm-midnight) The Mix (under 25) - 0808 808 4994 (3pm-midnight) Papyrus (under 35, struggling with suicidal feelings) - 0800 068 4141 (9am-midnight) Switchboard (LGBT+) - 0300 330 0630 (10am-10pm). Community Advice and Listening Line (Wales only) - 0800 132 737 If you prefer to text/chat/email: Shout (text) - giveusashout.org/ CALM (webchat) - www.thecalmzone.net/help/webchat/ The Mix (email/text/chat) - www.themix.org.uk/get-support/speak-to-our-team Papyrus (email/text) - www.papyrus-uk.org/ Switchboard (email/webchat) - switchboard.lgbt/ SANEline (email/voicemail) - www.sane.org.uk/how-we-help/emotional-support/saneline-services Arrange to talk to someone irl: - Book a GP appointment. They will be happy to talk, and signpost you to other services where you live (www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-gp). - If you are at university, most have a free counselling service. Also many student unions offer student-led services, if you prefer to talk to another student. Find some talking therapy: www.nhs.uk/mental-health/talking-therapies-medicine-treatments/talking-therapies-and-counselling/nhs-talking-therapies/ Therapy doesn't have to be mysterious or scary, or reserved for people who 'actually have problems'. A large part of why therapy works is that you get the chance to form a therapeutic relationship with someone and be actively listened to. It's just a space for you. That's why self-help resources, although useful, can't replace talking to someone. All of humanity's knowledge about mental health issues, and ways to manage them, can be freely accessed online (e.g. I like this resource www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/Resources/Looking-After-Yourself). With this knowledge on its own, the change must be driven entirely by you. That's no mean feat. A trained practitioner will sit alongside you to help you work through your problems, and offer you new ways of understanding your difficulties that you might not have previously considered. TL;DR Don't suffer in silence. Plz
To be completely serious, I was referred by my GP to my university’s counselling service. Did have to wait a few months but it helped me in ways I never expected. I still get the odd depressive episode but it’s nowhere near as frequent as it used to be
