Do you Think Mental Health is More Understood These Days?
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Mental health has long been misunderstood by many people. For a very long time.
I have had issues myself for many years now. As a series of stressful events that took their toll over time.
My mother-in-law actually said to me once that I was just lazy and should just 'snap out of it and grow a pair of balls to support her daughter'.
I know there is much more focus on the topic now, due to the pandemic.
Do you think more people understand it as an illness now and not have the the views of my Mother-in-Law?
Incidentally, we created a bubble for her in our house during the pandemic. To protect her from Covid (She is 72 and at high risk) eventually we came to a mutual respect without saying a word, to protect the ones we both love.
I have mental issues myself and got help problem is everyone uses it now for everything so people don't know to believe it or not
It's often said that because Mental Illness cannot be seen in the same way as a physical condition, people are more sceptical.
But I think things are very much moving in the right direction, understanding and treatment wise.
blacklabrador I agree but there is a lot of catching up to do. I can only get help by filling in online questionnaires at the moment.
It’s very difficult to know what to say to someone with issues. Your mother in law should just keep her tactless opinions to herself and one of you need to grow a pair and tell her so.
I think its very brave of you both L & D to come on the chat and let us all know about your mental issues
It will do much good in promoting and highlighting this epidemic of an illness
Thank you both
I think your mother in law is of a different generation, I think nowadays people are more understanding. I think unless you have suffered from depression I don't think you can really understand.
I don’t think that any one understands mental health issues until they have lived with someone who has them or suffers themselves I think that people should understand the situation and if they do not know about it they should keep their thoughts to themselves, i hope you find the help you need and remember if you need help to ask for it as it’s no good bottling things up
Want to personally thank all the people who posted on here today. You have lifted me with your support. That helps more than you can imagine. Tomorrow is another day. Fight or flight. I choose fight. 
Yes I think more people do but there is still a long way to go , society is slow but has improved from a hundred years ago when if you were depressed you were slung into a mad house! Or for even having a baby out of wedlock or your relation thinking you were strange...
You are right Sarah. I watched Girl Interrupted with my wife and 17yo son yesterday. A female version of me I would have been committed into a hospital in the 60's. If you have never seen it, I highly recommend it
Suffered for years with anxiety and paranoia. I find it people know you've got it they use it against you. was that me being paranoid again 
Not just me then. I have lost friends whom I thought were close and lost family members too. I had a really bad day yesterday. Can't go outdoors on my own. Anxiety makes me feel like I am not safe. The world spins around me. No drink or drugs involved. A living nightmare.
I’m not ashamed to say I battle anxiety low confidence don’t really have friends as stay in but I am a fighter care for others more than myself don’t really have much support feel alone but I’m strong that’s all you can do will I ever feel good enough who knows but im gonna try so im here if anyone ever wants talk anytime I know how it feels to suffer a silent battle hope you know you have support from me anybody who needs it x 
Just seen this in floods of tears now. Gotta be ready for tomorrow. Fight not flight. I owe it my wife and son
i dont think all mental health problems are treated right, theres more awareness but with that comes people faking them, i feel some of the more common ones are being generalized and becoming a normal so arent given the right attention or attitude too.
Stopped trying the NHS route years ago as it would be quicker to wait for a bus being pulled by a snail.
People tell me off for this.
My answer...
If you can't fight for yourself, then you have probably already losy the fight.
davey184 Sad to hear that you're going through hard times.
The problem is with the NHS and even private mental health professionals is that the majority of them haven't been through what their patients have.
And saying that, everyone who suffers has different and complex problems which the advisers would never understand.
People think that if you just throw money at the mental health services that everything will be ok and everyone will be 'cured'.
Unfortunately, this is a demon that we have to try to put up with through different means.
The problem is at the moment is that loads of people are saying that they have depression/anxiety when it's only normal life that they have to cope with. Drives me nuts. They have no clue about the depths that people can go into when they're really poorly.
I wish everyone on this thread who are not feeling well at the moment all the best.
TheChimp Really great comment. Maybe, I have created a self help group without even knowing Lol.
Thank you. I am self employed and have not claimed benefits for free for 30+ years. That will not change, as my parents taught me to be that way. Without my wonderful wife and Son I would be long gone. Have a great day your concerns really lifted me.
I think the public are more aware of its existence but probably no better understood.
dawarwick The thing is that the problem is being watered down with a lot of people who are just have a life moment say that they're depressed and anxious. They haven't got a clue what being depressed and anxious is.
It's a big thing in the courts where neatly every defendant uses the excuse when there's nothing wrong with them.
trude76 My wife Lynda actually called 111 today. They insisted on sending an ambulance crew out. They spent 2 hours with me.Actually made me feel guilty. I kept telling them they should be spending time with someone in a more serious condition. I have a health team coming to see me tomorrow.
davey184 aww hun I’ve been through similar few years ago I was spoke to by a team sent to have help but got discharged when Covid happened sadly there was no way anyone could see anyone so basically left get on with it now but I take each day as it comes anxiety is just the worse but I have hope that one day il get through it if you ever need chat don’t hesitate to say hi on here x
I think it is better understood than it was 10 years ago but think people could do more to understand as their are some really ignorant and uneducated people out there.
No I don’t. People hide their feeling, I’m guilty of this, it’s sooo difficult to explain to a loved one how you feel without upsetting them.
Is there someone who is not a loved one that you can talk to? This was meant to be for Pjran but you too trude76
Sarahvwomble I don’t want to off load on family and friends. We all carry these feelings and keep them well hidden.
Pjran if you ever want to off load send me a message on Twitter ,know what you mean x
Sarahvwomble thank you for your kindness and understanding. It helps that we’re all anonymous here.
I think is going in the right direction but it has a long way to go. Too many people don't believe it and don't want to believe it. A lot of things needs to change in society and it will take a long long time to change or may never change.
It's so terrible what so many go through, and the lack of care is appalling but what would help actually? People being kind and considerate would be a start but beyond that?
Well if anyone needs a chat anytime Il support you all the way kindness costs nothing and I’m a nice gal lol x
I got no support or understanding from my own father, when I confessed to him I was struggling with mental health coming out of lockdown. He actually was angry with me, that I couldn’t cope at work. My work colleagues showed more support and acceptance, and moving forward more have talked about their own mental illness. I think the more it is talked about, the more every day it will become.
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