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Romeo

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Right, this could be a touchy subject for some people but I just wanted to create this thread in case someone could find it helpful.

Basically, I have bipolar and I have amazing moods and the lowest of the low moods. Today I have been really bad due to a number of things and I thought that maybe if there was someone else in a low place then if they find this they could find someone to talk to or just rant randomly if that helps.

A number of Eurovision songs in recent years have been about mental health such as Christabelle 'Taboo' and Svala 'Paper' so I thought possibly us here in the Eurovision community could help each other if we get low and need support.

I could sit here and tell you all about my troubles and my attempted suicide in 2012 and my panic attacks etc. but the majority of that is in my past and you probably don't want to know but I just want people to know that if any of you do feel that you need to talk to someone / rant in this thread / just think someone close to you may have some mental health issues then you could get some advice from others.

Just think of this as the ESCUnited support group lol
 

Romeo

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FYI this organisation created by professor Green has helped me a lot in the past so if anybody needs to talk to someone not on here / in confidence then here is the link https://www.thecalmzone.net they go from 5pm-12am (UK time) every day of the year
 

Leydan

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I'm so sorry to hear about your struggles and attempted suicide, but it's telling of how strong you are with how you've posted about it here so willingly and seemed to have got past that stage even with your bipolar. I hope you have a better mood soon and get out of this bad moment. xheart

I think talking about mental illness is a step closer to normalising stigmas associated with it and show people who are suffering and feel alone that they are actually not alone and people are there for them. Things have improved, but mental illness is so underrated and over looked by our governments, school etc so we all must make sure we do our bit to help. I don't I think myself suffer with any mental illness per se, but I know people who do and I have very close family who have also attempted suicide and are struggling bad with depression and anxiety so I understand from an outsider looking in perspective of what it can do to people and everyone around them. I think we have a great support network here on the forum from many different members so I imagine this will be super useful to many people.

No one is ever alone. xheart
 

Romeo

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I'm so sorry to hear about your struggles and attempted suicide, but it's telling of how strong you are with how you've posted about it here so willingly and seemed to have got past that stage even with your bipolar. I hope you have a better mood soon and get out of this bad moment. xheart

I think talking about mental illness is a step closer to normalising stigmas associated with it and show people who are suffering and feel alone that they are actually not alone and people are there for them. Things have improved, but mental illness is so underrated and over looked by our governments, school etc so we all must make sure we do our bit to help. I don't I think myself suffer with any mental illness per se, but I know people who do and I have very close family who have also attempted suicide and are struggling bad with depression and anxiety so I understand from an outsider looking in perspective of what it can do to people and everyone around them. I think we have a great support network here on the forum from many different members so I imagine this will be super useful to many people.

No one is ever alone. xheart

Thank you. As I said, I am going through a bad time right now but I'm not alone, there are millions of people out there going through the same thing so I just wanted to help at least 1 person if they see this and they have somewhere. As an ESCUnited editor I have put in the group saying I think we should get behind a mental health organisation and be a eurovision ambassador for mental health because there are a number of eurovision singers who have issues with mental health and I think it could help. Maybe this is the beginning of a new wave of support in whatever possible way it can be lol
 

Ausesken

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Edit: sorry guys, I wrote once again about my experience but I think it’s time for others to expose their issues if they want to. I’ve spoken enough about me in other threads and don’t want to be so annoying :lol:
 

RainyWoods

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I admire you all so much for speaking openly like this. Maybe i'll share stuff here another time when I feel more comfortable (a bit drained at this moment in time), but just wanted you to know that i'm sending love in all your directionsxheart Most people in life have problems, and it's a shame we often have difficulty when it comes to speaking with others about our troubles. I'm like that myself. A problem shared is a problem halved though. And no matter the difficulties we may be facing at any given moment, there's someone out there experiencing the same feelings, and there's always someone out there that will listen. Never underestimate the power of putting a smile on someone else's face. When i'm down, I try and think of things i've done recently that have made people smile and then I try for more the next day, even small things. Cheering people up is never trivial. Life is a precious thing and know that bad days are just that, bad days. We all have a purpose. So long as there's love in your heart, share it with whoever you can.

You're a good guy for making this topic Romeo! I started to love Taboo as well when I realized exactly what it was about.
 

Romeo

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Edit: sorry guys, I wrote once again about my experience but I think it’s time for others to expose their issues if they want to. I’ve spoken enough about me in other threads and don’t want to be so annoying :lol:

Feel free to put it in here. Say it as many times as you need to! The more people that know what you are going through the more people that could help. You should never worry about 'annoying' people, you could have experiences and ways to cope that others don't and by letting more people know it could be something they could try and it could work for them.

This world is all about helping each other out. There is so much shit going on in the world, help whoever you can, whenever you can, because if you don't and nobody else does then that person is left alone with no help. I sound like I'm preaching here or a motivational speaker or something haha
 

MyHeartIsYours

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Just heard earlier today that a guy I went to school with just killed himself, second person of our year who has committed suicide. If you are struggling at all try to talk to someone anyone, someone you know or don't know, or at least know you are not alone... if you are a terrible place, you are strong and surviving that, and there are so many chances for things to get better even if things aren't perfect!
 

mauve

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Mental health is a very difficult topic. The first step is always to talk about it. Never underestimate this. I know of a few cases where people would have never thought that their friends/relatives have depression. You just would have never guessed. Fortunately I have never experienced suicide among my friends or relatives, but when I went to study, one of my professors committed suicide. It broke my heart because he was such a wonderful person and he looked happy. It was a shock after he was gone. I met his parents to find out that another of his sons had committed suicide a few years back that time. Such a tragedy that good people left the world, especially without knowing and without being able to help. I myself have hard times as well, like having to work and having to foster my mother, but I am never at the point to feel depressed. Tired yes, but never depressed. I hope that the People here (and elsewhere, of course) will have help. I know sometimes it's hard because even listening can't get the inner problems solved, but maybe it is a Little comfort to know that many people feel the same. Love to you all! xhug
 

mauve

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To restore your mental health you need to rest. And you need to rest physically and mentally. Therefore, you need to have more sex, call for escorts, start girls, everything will be fine!

Don't believe that this is the solution. Have sex and you are free from depression? Well, life isn't that easy. Maybe you live in a completely different world … maybe you are just a troll. Please put your garbage posts somewhere else, not in a thread that is meant seriously.
 

Romeo

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I've just been thinking about this thread - I created it so people could ask for help if they needed it so I just thought I would boost this to the first page in case there is someone out there who needs help.

Either post in here or PM someone you're close to on here. I'm always happy to talk if someone needs to
 

Romeo

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One of the most beautiful people, inside and out took her own life today. Caroline Flack was attacked by the media after an altercation with her boyfriend and the CPS decided they wanted to make an example of her despite the 'victim' refusing to press charges. This woman was 40 years old and had her whole life ahead of her but the media attacked her and the TV station refused to support her.

If any of you need help please! I beg you! Speak to someone! On here or a friend or helpline. Please speak to someone! You are not alone!

I know what it feels like to be in that place and I asked for help and I got it! Please Please Please speak to SOMEONE! anyone!

PRC_138510507.jpg
 

Romeo

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I've just been thinking about this thread - I created it so people could ask for help if they needed it so I just thought I would boost this to the first page in case there is someone out there who needs help.

Either post in here or PM someone you're close to on here. I'm always happy to talk if someone needs to

I posted this on Tuesday last week. a few days later I posted the sad news about Caroline. This is why it is so important to TALK!

A few months ago I was in that bad place again and I reached out to someone I had never spoken to on Words with friends and he saved me.

I beg you, if you feel like you cannot go on just message someone! ANYONE! You are not alone. And one more thing... Instead of attacking people on social media, just think... and as Caroline asked.... #BeKind
 

CypriotGirl

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This is an interesting thread, thanks for sharing all these with us. I think I don't have any issues personally at the moment, but I've been through some weird moments in the past. I used to be a very outrageous person as a child, but in my teenage years this turned to the exact opposite. I was closed to myself and I had almost no friends. I also had very low self esteem. I was very shy, afraid that I'd say something and I'll be embarrassed, or with the clothes I wore that they will make fun of me, and similar stuff. I had a not-so-good relationship with a guy in 2010 that made me feel that I was even more worthless. All these started to change in about 2014, when I started to make some friends and have a social life, and also I started working during that period. But this made me very attached to my friends and when they started having relationships I started being a bit jealous that I had nobody. My friends were in their early 20s and starting to get engaged and married, but I was over 25 and I had nobody, and any attempt I made to get to know better guys I liked were a failure. Deep inside, though, I knew that there has to be someone for me too, and thankfully, since I started dating my husband in late 2015, everything is better. I was ready for something like that, because all these years I started being ok with myself. My self esteem is high, I don't have any issues that I'll say something that will embarrass me in front of others, and I'm more than ok with the way I'm dressed. The key is that we have to build a relationship with ourselves first, to love ourselves, and to find happiness inside us, and then to find someone to share our lives. We don't look for our other half, but for another full that will share our life with. That's my theory.

But all these don't guarantee you a stable mental health. I have to be very careful because I get excited easily and anxious even more easily. I become very attached to people, things and situations, and every change makes me anxious and stressed. Also, there is history of mental health issues in my family from both parts. My grandfather's father committed suicide when my grandfather was 7. My father is going through depression, as well as one of his sisters, and my aunt from my maternal side. In the past, my mother had some issues with depression as well. I must be alert for any tendency to get depressed as well. But I'm very happy with my life right now, with having a stable job and marriage, that every problem that comes seem temporary and unimportant. :)
 

EurovisionSmile

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Thanks for sharing your experience, Romeo.
I've lived with depression and anxiety for many years. Since I can remember actually. I had a breakdown in 2013. I was able to recover from the worst stage in my life thanks to an excellent therapist, it's been great.I got over the feeling of being depressed. Thank goodness I haven't been feeling it over the past 2 years. But anxiety is harder in my case. I love my work but it is stressful, and so if I'm not careful, I can eventually have a new breakdown or burnout or whatever. So yeah, mental health is a tough reality for some us. In my case, I had to do my share (which I didn't in the past, whenever I had episodes). I used to keep all of it to myself, when I went through those stages and I had to make big changes otherwise I wouldn't get over it. I've started that therapy I've mentioned and meditation that helps me a lot keeping my emotional and mental balance. Everything got much better. But I must keep in mind that I'm the first responsible about being well. I learned to believe that true friends were/are there to help and support me. I used to avoid to talk with them when I felt like this in a distant past because I thought that it would do no good to them either. I was obviously wrong. What I can say to finish what I'm sharing, is that a miracle happened in my life, and the pills in my case weren't the reason. Being responsible and actually fighting for myself was the open door for it to happen.
So that's what I had to share. Thanks. :)
 
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cilantrocrash

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If you are too anxious with anything and feeling so irritated - can this be a symptom of a mental health condition?
 

Romeo

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If you are too anxious with anything and feeling so irritated - can this be a symptom of a mental health condition?

Honestly yes. If you are feeling differently to the way you usually do then it can be caused by mental health. It may be small it may be big but the thing is you keep a record of how you feel. In these uncertain times where the world in in lockdown we can sometimes get anxious because we don't know what will happen or if it will happen to you.

If you still feel anxious and irritated by the time you read this then drop me a message and we can talk - I am no medical professional but I have experience in dealing with mental health and I have some strategies that you could use to help.

For some people they may just be stressed and feel a certain way, others it may be something more serious. But either way I have some techniques that could help. Alcohol was my 'go to' option for a long time but that makes it worse.

My bad times occur at night when I am trying to sleep and my TV was too loud even on the lowest volume so I tried audiobooks and Harry Potter The Philosophers Stone was my 'go to' book and I would always be calm and visualise it in my head and it would help me sleep. When I was really young I used to sing Wannabe by the spicegirls and I would somehow hear it and then I would fall asleep. That was long before any diagnosis.

So basically my point is... Message me if you need to talk or need some hints / tips
 

cjig123

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Life is so precious but who are we to judge those who suffer from deep depression? We need to take actions on our hands specially when it comes to our love ones. I've heard that their are new medicine to treat depression like CBD oil from Tweedle Farms. They're very good for relaxing the body.
 

foldpaw

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Wow, you are amazing! Great to know that you have surpassed depression and slowly coping up with anxiety. I hope I can overcome my anxiety issues too.

What an inspiration!

Thanks for sharing your experience, Romeo.
I've lived with depression and anxiety for many years. Since I can remember actually. I had a breakdown in 2013. I was able to recover from the worst stage in my life thanks to an excellent therapist, it's been great.I got over the feeling of being depressed. Thank goodness I haven't been feeling it over the past 2 years. But anxiety is harder in my case. I love my work but it is stressful, and so if I'm not careful, I can eventually have a new breakdown or burnout or whatever. So yeah, mental health is a tough reality for some us. In my case, I had to do my share (which I didn't, whenever I had episodes). I used to keep all of it to myself, when I went through those stages and I had to make big changes otherwise I wouldn't get over it. I've started that therapy I've mentioned and meditation that helps me a lot keeping my emotional and mental balance. Everything got much better. But I must keep in mind that I'm the first responsible about being well. I learned to believe that true friends were/are there to help and support me. I avoided to talk with them when I felt like this in a distant past because I thought that it would do no good to them either. I was obviously wrong. What I can say to finish what I'm sharing, is that a miracle happened in my life, and the pills in my case weren't the reason. Being responsible and actually fighting for myself was the open door for it to happen.
So that's what I had to share. Thanks. :)
 
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