Your mental health stories

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People share their stories about mental health and how reaching out for support has helped them. Thanks to everyone who has contributed and we hope these stories will inspire hope in others

Kasha sitting on a bench with greenery behind him

Kasha’s story: Finding peace with my sexuality and religion

12th June 2023

Kasha shares his story of coming out, his struggle to reconcile his sexuality with his religious identity and the impact this had on his mental health. He reflects on the role stigma played in preventing him getting help and what might have made his story better

Woman sitting alone in the house looking anxious

Natalie's story: learning to live with the peaks and troughs of anxiety

16th May 2023

Natalie has had anxiety since she was a child, but things really peaked over the pandemic when she grew too comfortable with her routine at home and struggled to adapt to the 'new normal'. She's learned to talk things through with friends and ask for support in situations she knows she'll find stressful

Young man from behind looking out into the distance

Lewis' story: the power of offloading

17th May 2023

When Lewis was anxious, he felt sick, distant and detached and had to withdraw from social situations. But seeking support in the run-up to his first son's birth has helped Lewis to open up to others about his anxiety and alleviated some pressure. In his blog for Mental Health Awareness Week, he explains his journey

Leah who suffers with anxiety with her son Ronan

Leah's story: becoming the mum I always wanted to be

15th May 2023

Being a first-time parent can be a challenging experience in any circumstances. But for new mum, Leah, it was a catalyst for her anxiety becoming completely debilitating - until she reached out for support

Hannah's story: finding a space where people understand

18th May 2023

Hannah has been experiencing anxiety since childhood, which was exacerbated by having undiagnosed autism and ADHD. As a young adult, she sought help and has found connection and mutual support by going to social groups run by West Sussex Mind's youth mental health workers

Late diagnosis of ADHD: Kayla's story

15th March 2023

Kayla wasn't diagnosed with ADHD until her early thirties and spent many years internalising other people's negative perceptions of her – with a detrimental effect on her self-esteem and mental health

Picture of blog contributor Stevie Amuzu

What LGBT+ History Month means to me and my well-being

7th February 2023

Stevie reflects on inspiring figures in the fight for LGBTQIA+ rights and what connecting with the community has meant for her mental well-being

Person with colours of LGBTQI painted on face

Towards self-acceptance: Izzy’s story

3rd February 2023

Izzy wrestled with accepting her sexuality for many years and her mental health continued to suffer. Here she reflects on her journey towards self-acceptance and better mental health

Woman sitting on bench looking out to sea

Expressing myself through singing: Beth's story

16th November 2022

Beth speaks about her the positive impact joining the West Sussex Mind singing group has had on her mental well-being

Improving mental well-being creatively: Julie's story

17th October 2022

Julie joined the West Sussex Mind pottery group, one of our social activity groups, and says that the social contact and trying something new has had a positive effect on her well-being

Older man sitting on a bench with his back to the camera

Finding meaning again: John's story

24th August 2022

After an operation that went wrong, John felt depressed and increasingly isolated. But reaching out for support with our over-65s service helped him learn coping strategies, find meaningful contact and enjoy life again

Being my true self: Stevie's story

5th September 2022

After many years of shame and guilt, Stevie blogs about how denial of her true sexual identity impacted her mental health and how she has finally found peace as a gay woman

Becoming comfortable in my own skin: Marilyn's story

5th September 2022

Marilyn speaks about her struggle with depression and loneliness and the positive impact joining the West Sussex Mind singing group has had on her mental well-being

Grappling with bereavement and sadness: Dorothy's story

20th September 2022

Dorothy felt isolated and extremely down after two close bereavements in her family. But she has found friends and understanding by attending our over-65s support groups in Bognor and taking part in our activities

If you would like to share your story, contact the communications team at West Sussex Mind. Email communications@westsussexmind.org

Your mental health stories

Kasha’s story: Finding peace with my sexuality and religion