The Vet Space Journal
World Mental Health Day
Michelle & hazell | october 10th, 2020
Today is World Mental Health Day. At Vet Space Ireland we are passionate about veterinary, cows, cats, coffee and mental health.
As part of Mind & Body at Vet Space Ireland we are currently running a Vets get physical campaign to encourage physical exercise to aid better mental health and we are supporting a great charity in the process, Aware Ireland.
The campaign is designed to bring people together while we have to be physically apart during this extremely difficult time. Community is what Vet Space Ireland is all about. Helping and learning from each other.
If you would like to take part in Vets get physical you can read all about it here.
To donate to the cause and support Aware Ireland follow the link below.
https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/11391464_vet-space-ireland.html
Here are some helpful resources if you are struggling at this time or anytime. If you are not struggling but just need to talk or need advice. Don’t be afraid to ask for or seek help. It can change your life.
I have been very lucky with my own mental health journey; I haven’t had too many bumps along the way, but it certainly hasn’t been a smooth ride either. I am a person who wears their heart on their sleeve and if I am down it’s very hard for me to hide it, meaning that I usually blurt out whatever it is to my nearest and dearest or sometimes it’s whoever sends me a voice message at the time. I think this is my key to keeping everything ticking over, talking, and sharing issues should never be underestimated. As a vet sometimes I am that person that farmers open up to and I feel very honoured to be a listening ear for them but I am far from a professional but maybe talking to me, a non-biased person was all they needed. There have been points in my life now looking back that were tough, and I sought help which was the best thing for me to do at the time. I always remember one person I met on my journey at that time saying to me “You are stronger than you think” and she was right. We all have an inner strength and it is essential we seek help to find it especially if it is hiding.
Every day I make sure to do things for me, I am a big believer in the motto “Be kind to yourself”. The Posh coffee hashtag is far more than just appreciating good coffee but it’s also a reminder of the importance of self-care and its ok to “treat yoself”.
I will leave you with one of my favourite life mottos “Not every day is great BUT there is great in every day’.
Hazell
xxx
“You are in the storm my dear, you think you are in the calm, but that’s only because you have been in the storm for so long”
I have had a challenging time with my mental health in the last couple of years. It is something I ignored until my body decided it could no longer manage. The guilt and shame that comes with suffering is extreme. I can’t count how many conversations I’ve had with people about their own struggles, only for them to say, “sure I’m grand, other people have way worse stuff going on, a counsellor would laugh at my little problems.”
This is exactly how I felt. I wish now I had got help sooner. Your problems are yours and are relative to you. While it is good to have perspective its unhealthy to be dismissive of your stresses and worries. Talk to someone, google counsellors in your area right now, take the first step. For me, the penny dropped when I read about someone else’s struggle that was similar to mine. I felt if this lady can get through this, so can I.
On this World Mental Health Day, I am writing this after spending two hours with my counsellor. My progress is slow, but it is progress. Every day I wake up knowing that I am okay now, and I will be living my absolute best life any day. I will keep on, keeping on and you can too.
Be kind to yourself, make yourself a priority. You are unique and extraordinary and you deserve to give yourself the best chance at a life lived to the full.
Michelle
xxx