   About the Make a Ripple campaignThis series of blog posts are part of the See Change Make a Ripple campaign, an initiative to help end the stigma of mental health problems by sharing experiences and building public understanding. If you’d like to tell your story, you can visit the Make a Ripple stories portal. If you’d like to write a longer piece like the one below, you can contact a member of the See Change campaign team atinfo@seechange.ie or on 01 8601620 Ciara’s StoryI was diagnosed with depression and anxiety when I was sixteen. I’m twenty now and have been on and off medication for the past four years. I have highs and lows, lows when I don’t get out of bed for weeks and highs when I think I’ll never be that low again. I’m currently going through a low, depression has never left me but I am in college and holding down a job, I have friends. Unfortunately much of the stigma I have come up against has been from health care professionals who should know better than to expect me to ‘just get over it’. Depression is a terrible disease which ruled my life for a long time. However, it IS possible to live with it and have a good life, its not always easy but it is possible. I stand against the stigma and ignorance in this country about depression and I put my name to this story because I am not ashamed for having depression and I fight against the people who think I should be. Ciara
See Change understands that there is a complex multiplicity of perspectives on mental health problems and the experience of being unwell. See Change encourages the publication of material that promotes understanding of mental health problems, the experience of being unwell, and recovery. The opinions expressed by contributors to the Make a Ripple campaign are those of the author, and do not necessarily represent the views of See Change, funders, or partner organisations. Want to tell your story? |
