Category: Wellbeing and self-care

OCD, Motherhood and Recovery: Shakira’s story

10th October 2023

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a condition where someone experiences obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours, making it challenging to go about daily life. Our ambassador Shakira Akabusi tells us how her earliest compulsions began at the age of four but manifested into something more serious during her first pregnancy. Today, Shakira no longer experiences compulsions. In this blog, she explains how therapy was the turning point in her journey.

“It can be hard to seek help, but you will find a bright light.” – Wayne’s experience getting support.

27th September 2023

It can feel daunting reaching out for support when we’re struggling, and we might not know what help is available. We spoke to Wayne about how he accessed mental health support and how he tried different options until he found something that he felt empowered him and provided him with techniques that he still uses to this day.

How gaming supported my mental health

14th September 2023

When we think of ‘gamers’ we might automatically think of someone who is isolated and perhaps even antisocial. However, in recent years, there’s been more talk about how gaming can actually benefit mental health and help form tight-knit social networks and communities online. We hear from two avid gamers about how the hobby has supported their wellbeing, and what gamers can do to maintain their mental health whilst playing.

How volunteering helped my mental health

8th August 2023

It can be a daunting experience to volunteer for a cause for the first time, especially if you experience mental health problems. Anna tells us how volunteering at her local park run helped her to build confidence and brought a sense of connection and belonging into her life during recovery from an eating disorder.

Summer body image and self-harm

28th June 2023

Summer is typically a time for looser, more revealing clothing, but for someone who struggles with their body image — the way they think and feel about their appearance — summer may be a difficult time. For people who self-harm or who have scars from self-harm, it can be even more distressing.

Summer and mental health

21st June 2023

The summer months are typically associated with rest and relaxation, but for people living with poor mental health, summer can be a difficult time. In this post, we’ll discuss how you can take care of yourself and your mental health this summer. 

Body Image: “With eczema, I felt worried that people would look at my arms and be disgusted.”

8th June 2023

Sometimes there are parts of our bodies that can make us feel particularly insecure or anxious. We spoke to Luke, who explained how having eczema as a teenager affected his body image and caused him to lack confidence. He tells us how the experience has now left him more empathetic towards other people, and the insecurities they might be facing with skin conditions.

Body Image: “My body image was never an issue until the rise of social media.”

7th June 2023

When social media started to become popular, Prisha began to fixate on fitness creators and desired to change her body. She spoke to us about how it was the exposure to certain body type ideals online that influenced her behaviour of exercising in a regimented way to achieve a certain look, and it was once she took a step back that she realised what was online wasn’t always reality.

Body Image: “Social media made me feel worse about my body.”

7th June 2023

Daryl first started to experience negative feelings towards her body after her body underwent changes after a life transition. She tells us how she got back to a healthy mind set through treating her body with kindness and reminding herself that what you see on social media, isn’t always reality.

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