Managing your mental health as a queer person this Christmas

Managing your mental health as a queer person this Christmas… 1) Queering time with family over Christmas For some LGBTQ+ people, spending time with biological family members over Christmas is stressful because of their LGBTQ+ identity not being known, understood, or affirmed. Being ‘closeted’ because you’re forced to (whatever the reason), or choosing to be […]

Mental Health In Context

Mental health in context… It’s impossible to work with mental health as something that’s purely in our minds, especially in the current socio-political climate. If I’m asked ‘What’s the hardest thing about your job?’ it’s coming up against systemic oppression, disempowerment, and inequality. It is difficult to maintain a state of good mental health (whatever […]

What are trauma and PTSD

What are trauma and PTSD… It can be confusing and distressing to not have a name for what you’re experiencing mentally and physically. ‘Post-traumatic stress disorder’ (PTSD) is a medical, diagnostic term for the range of: behaviours, psychological and somatic reactions, and relational difficulties that may be experienced in the aftermath of a traumatic event. […]

Meeting A Survivor Where They Are

Meeting a survivor where they are… Psychotherapists are offered an insight into a survivor’s life at the point they meet, as well as making contact with their past. The impact of barriers to accessing specialist support (waiting times, funding or lack thereof, practical accessibility needs, the impact of blame/shame/guilt, etc.) should form part of the […]

Stigma Around Stress

Stigma around stress… There are a lot of ways we negatively internalise our stress responses. Examples I hear are: ‘I think I’ve got bipolar because my moods change so much.’ ‘I feel like I should be able to cope better, people go through much worse than this.’ ‘Some days I can’t get out of bed […]

Stress in December (part 2)

Stress in December (part 2/2)… Managing the different parts of our selves and identities during stressful times such as Christmas isn’t simply about seeking affirmation. For many it can be the difference between being harmed or staying safe around others. Staying quiet about your mental health struggles around people who are unsupportive might be the […]