Howdy



Welcome to my guide on self-help and conquering mental illness. If you're here because you are afflicted I am so so sorry that you're experiencing it and I hope we can get through the entire experience together as a family. If you're here just for a general read or wish to assist in any way I'll make sure to fill you in on anything and everything necessary to those experiencing the struggles of mental illness.

Before I begin I'd like to quickly clarify that this isn't coming from anyone with professional expertise on the manner (although I may directly reference quite a few sources). Instead, this is coming from someone who is conquering it themselves, someone who understands how intense the world can be when your own brain is fighting against you at every twist and turn, so anything that I say cannot be taken as if I am a certified professional, possess a doctorate, etc. I am merely a single individual attempting to better the lives of a few people by providing my own experiences, advice from others, referencable sources among other things.

With that in mind, let us begin.

I'd like to apologise to new people reading this guide as of 20th December 2020 a large majority of the links used to back up my information are removed due to steams policy regarding suspicious links; why they'd want to remove links to Beyond Blue and such I haven't the fuzziest clue but I do apologise for the inconvenience. I'm extremely grateful for everyone who's taken the time to read the guide and I wish you all good mental health.

According to the Australian Department of Health[www.health.gov.au] they define mental illness as "a health problem that significantly affects how a person feels, thinks, behaves, and interacts with other people". They further elaborate that, "Mental illnesses cause a great deal of suffering to those experiencing them, as well as their families and friends."

Essentially what this means is your brain is unwell causing you to not behave how you "normally" do. I wrote normally in italics because after long periods of time exposed to mental illnesses you may lose your true sense of self and become a ghost of your former self.

I personally have only just resurfaced back to my former self, having been exposed to chronic anxiety, depression, bipolar and insomnia since about 12 years old. After almost 6 years of attempting to handle this solely, I sought professional help in an attempt to better myself and find who I was. It can be very hard. Extremely hard actually.

Everyone handles their own mental illness differently, mostly depending on the mental illness itself, who they are as a person and their social environment. I'll elaborate on how individuals may handle their affliction later but for now, I'm going to address the most common mental illnesses across each major country.










(courtesy of https://ourworldindata.org/mental-health)


Australia

This means that:

• 1,594,993 Australians suffer with Anxiety (24.13 million * 0.0661)
  
• 1,194,435 Australians suffer Depression (24.13 million * 0.0495)

North America

This means that:

• 34,933,700 people in North America suffer from Anxiety disorders (579 million *0.0603)
  
• 29,239,500 people in North America suffer from Depression (579 million * 0.0505)

Southern Latin America

This means that:

• 26,828,750 Southern Latin Americans suffer from Anxiety disorders (422.5 million * 0.0635)
  
• 16,688,750 Southern Latin Americans suffer from Depression (422.5 million * 0.0395)

China

This means that:

• 50,747,200 people living in China suffer from Depression (1.379 billion * 0.0368)
  
• 44,128,000 people living in China suffer from Anxiety disorders (1.379 billion * 0.032)

Japan

This means that:

• 4,686,300 people living in Japan suffer from Anxiety disorders (127 million * 0.0369)
  
• 4,597,400 people living in Japan suffer from Depression (127 million * 0.0362)

Eastern Europe

This means that:

• 13,167,095 Eastern Europeans suffer from an alcohol abuse disorder (291,953,328 * 0.0451)
  
• 12,203,649 Eastern Europeans suffer from Depression (291,953,328 * 0.0418)

Western Europe

This means that:

• 22,419,000 Western Europeans suffer from Anxiety disorders (397.5 million * 0.0564)
  
• 16,734,750 Western Europeans suffer from Depression (397.5 million * 0.0421)

Central Europe

This means that:

• 3,442,168 (rounded up) Central Europeans suffer from Anxiety Disorders (this may be slightly off due to the fact I had to find the approximate population of Central Europe then subtract the Baltics to make the data and graph match, it would be largely false if I included the baltics in a graph that doesn't include them) (96690102 * 0.0356)
  
• 2,610,633 (rounded up) Central Europeans suffer from Depression (" ") (96690102 * 0.027)

Singapore

This means that:

• 217,552 (rounded up) suffer from Anxiety disorders (5.607 million * 0.0388)
  
• 208,020 (rounded up) suffer from Depression (5.607 million * 0.0371)

As you can see from each graph provided plus the basic maths I did along with it, you're looking at the top 2 main mental illnesses being anxiety disorders and depression. This may be due to both afflictions often being synonymous with each other, going 'hand-in-hand' so to speak and often working off each other to make an individuals life very very difficult.

That means there are a lot of people who are so stressed and terrified about basic social norms such as leaving the house or buying something from the shop while also being psychologically blamed for it by the little voice in their head, often causing them to become bed-ridden and allow their physical health and hygiene to deteriorate.

As a friend or companion, lifelong or short-term, you may want to help whoever is affected. It is important for both yourself and whoever you're trying to help that you don't take on the entire burden. No matter how mentally and emotionally strong you believe you are, the things they may so or the emotions they portray can, and most likely will, bring you to a crumbling mess if you don't sort an alternate means of expression for yourself. Even clinically trained psychologists are required to go through mandatory therapy to handle the psychological and emotional burden placed upon their shoulders each and every day.

Now, when addressing whoever is affected you must first recognise their illness but important to note that if they don't express to you what their illness is, give them time. You may make this much worse by intruding into someone's emotional and psychological wellbeing without their permission. If they wish to open up they will do so. If an individual has anxiety and/or is chronically anxious they will struggle with basic social norms such as maintaining eye contact or even having a basic conversation. Reassurance is key. You must comfort them in difficult times. Do not embarrass them or make them the centre of attention or make fun of them for their struggles. They may break down and become an absolute emotional mess.

Take it slowly. You cannot force change for them. Same as learning to play the guitar or learning the strategies of a new game, it takes time and them going at their own pace. Your role as a friend is to help them through it and be there crutch to lean on when everything becomes overwhelming.

In terms of depression, it is important to identify their melancholy not as a burden on yourself but a weight on them. Your overall holistic health is important to maintain, i.e. if one aspect is struggling or non-existent, the rest will crumble and fall with it. Therefore attempt to assist in any way possible, they will lack the energy to do just about everything and their motivation will be abysmal, if not, non-existent. Essentially make sure they do the absolute basics first such as eating, basic hygiene or education. If their physical health is poor, the body, mind and soul go with it. If you can manage it, get them active or laughing. The endorphins releasing will better their mood, if not at least improve their energy.

I must make it very very clear that you cannot allow their burden to become your own, no matter how much you wish to help them you cannot take their weight because if you go down just to hold them up, how are you going to do it again if necessary?

You'll basically end up like darkrai like I know he's cool and all but he basically gets bullied the entire darkrai movie so take that as you will.

SEEK PROFESSIONAL HELP

Seeking professional help is a crucial aspect of handling, and eventually conquering mental illness. The best way I can summarise it is like a raid boss in an MMORPG. You cannot solo an end-game raid boss by yourself. They are designed to ♥♥♥♥ you up plain and simple. Therefore you must seek help from other individuals, generally with more knowledge or ability than yourself.

You cannot do everything on your own. You are one individual in a big bad world full of heartbreak and loss and struggles. You can survive but to live you must work with others. That being said here is some website for talking to volunteers or professionals regarding your problem.

Lifeline Australia[www.lifeline.org.au] is a free online service available 24/7 to assist those in crisis and prevent suicides.




Black Dog Institute[www.blackdoginstitute.org.au] is a similar service that address clinical assistance and treatment for mental illnesses.











Beyond Blue[www.blackdoginstitute.org.au], probably the most well-known service, is an online service that allows you to seek help in regards to your mental illness, take a test to self-determine whether you are, in fact, clinically depressed among other services.

BlueChocobo:



"One thing that makes me happy is the little pleasures in life, even if things seem bad just look forward to anything that makes you feel a little bit happy. Even if its minor to some, that cup of coffee in the morning, or embracing a pet you love, jogging down the road, whatever makes you happy, live life for that."












Depression
Depression / Help

As an individual who has experienced a mass of mental illnesses I don't believe my own words of 'wisdom' hold absolutely any value. In saying that I'd just like to remind anyone and everyone whether you are affected by a mental illness or not, attempting to save someone or not, that life can and will get infinitely better eventually. You were brought into this world because you can handle it, whether there is an almighty being who placed you on this earth or just circumstance it doesn't matter. You were made to survive. You were made to succeed. You were made to live the best life you possibly can. You are loved and cherished by many, whether you believe it or not. There is someone out there who would be absolutely distraught if you disappeared or died. There is someone out there who would sink to their knees if you took your own life.

If you cannot live for yourself, then life for someone else. Live for your family or your friends. Live for your gaming community. Live for your future spouse and kids. Imagine watching them grow up knowing you almost didn't get to see it. Do whatever you have to in order to survive.

Because you were born not only to live but to survive.

You are loved.

If you guys ever need anything add me personally and I'll address it immediately.

I am not the same person I was when I made this guide; I am only human and therefore bound to change. I am not capable of handling all of your problems and being your therapist; I have my own struggles just as you do. If I cannot respond immediately due to personal reasons, whether they be my studies, family life or whatever I may be doing, please try to be a half decent human being and understand my position. I cannot make it any more clear that I am not here to be your personal punching bag, I am not here to be a sponge to suck up all your day-to-day problems, I am not here to fix whatever is broken; I am only human and therefore can only do so much.

Please try to understand.

Sincerely, a friend