Hi Sam, ive struggled a lot with my mental health since i was little. Just recently i took the step to speak to a councillor and i think it helped me a lot. However, i keep finding myself back in dark places; and now im too scared to even tell my councillor because i had made so much progress and i dont want to disappoint her. Things at home have gotten even worse and i just dont want to destroy myself again.
Sam
Hi there,
Recovering and learning to cope with your mental health is a process. It’s natural to have times when it feels like you’re relapsing or losing progress, so you’re not doing anything wrong.
Your counsellor should never be disappointed about you having a harder time or needing more support. Opening up to someone you trust can make you realise that you’re not alone, give you a new way of looking at things, and it can help you think about ways to keep moving forward. Being honest when things aren’t going well can take courage, so it’s something to be proud of.
It’s natural to be scared, but there are things that can help. You could try imagining what you’d say if a friend opened up to you, or how it would feel if your counsellor knew how you felt and was there to support you. Sometimes it can help to write down what you want to say, either as a list or in a letter.
Recognising when you’re feeling worse is an important part of recovery. Sometimes it can help to track how you’re feeling, either in a diary or by using something like our mood journal. You could note how you’re feeling each day and write down the reasons. Doing this over time can help make it easier to spot when things are getting worse.
You can’t always control difficulties at home, but it can help to know what to do if things get overwhelming. A mental health first aid kit includes ideas of how to cope if things get too much and can help at times when you’d struggle to think. Remember, even if you’re feeling overwhelmed you can always speak to Childline.
Take care,
Sam
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