Most people I know are silently battling with demons that affect their mental health. It’s time to break the silence.
I want to share my story, in the hope that it encourages others to open up too.
I was 11 years old when my dad committed suicide. It’s affected me ever since.
For 7 years, I lacked the courage to talk to anyone about what happened to my dad. I was embarrassed. I was ashamed. I was even afraid I’d do the same thing one day.
Finally, after moving to a new country, I realized that keeping it all inside wasn’t helping me. So I started to talk.
It took ten years before I opened up to my friends about what had happened.
And do you know what happened? They listened, they supported me, and they didn’t judge me.
It was a turning point, and I felt a sense of relief I hadn’t experienced in years.
I’ve come to understand that it’s okay to talk about our struggles. In fact, it’s more than okay – it’s essential.
We might like to believe we’re strong and can handle everything on our own. That we should toughen up and just get on with it. But there’s no shame in seeking help or sharing our feelings with someone we trust.
My dad’s story taught me a vital lesson: it’s crucial to reach out for support when things become too much. He might still be with us if he had sought help or talked to someone about his pain.
Today, I’m committed to supporting the Samaritans to spread awareness about mental health.
Let’s create an environment where talking openly about our emotions is encouraged, not stigmatised.
It’s time to break the silence. It’s ok to talk.
Justin Lester