19/05/2023
It’s the end of mental health awareness week, something we struggle with at Reach because we think you’re all very much aware. We think you’re aware of the lack of access to support, aware of the socio-political stressors negatively impacting wellbeing & are aware that locating the problem solely within an individual can maintain the difficulties.
Instead, we wanted to share the situation for a client we have supported over the past few years. Sessions are now occasional ’top-ups’, but have been weekly, fortnightly & monthly…
This client is sitting her GCES over the next few weeks. She’s in the hall with everyone else. She’s been praised on work experience, she has a place at college waiting for her. She is traveling independently, meeting up with friends, going into shops & crowded places. She’s bought her dress for prom. She knows how to re-regulate her breathing. She knows that her body goes into ‘flight’ & that most of the time it’s not responding to the current situation, it’s responding to a ‘threat’ from the past. She knows the unfamiliar feels scary. She’s worked incredibly hard to gradually expose herself to situations that made her uncomfortable. She’s identified family & friends who both support & challenge her. Her family have sought their own support & further developed their insight. She knows how to communicate her needs.
Our client is remarkable, tenacious, hard-working…and anxious. She says “you don’t get rid of anxiety, you learn to make friends with it” We are incredibly proud of her, & it’s that we chose to make you aware of this week 💚
•Reach Decisions • Reach Support • Reach Ideas •
