Good Deeds x 24

Twenty-four days in, twenty-four good deeds done.

The most recent of these include buying my flatmate a present (Euro 2012 stickers), spending my lunchtime on three different days at work researching what free options are available to my friend who is struggling with debt, giving my seat up on the subway twice, helping someone up the stairs at Kelvinbridge with their heavy bags and hanging up my flatmates washing.

It's nice to be nice.

Exercise is Your Friend

One of the most common features of my depression is lethargy and indifference. Having a 'can't be bothered' mindset is a recurring theme, but exercise and fresh air are amazing for combating the negative effects of mental health issues.

To that end, alongside coming off my medication, I am keen to do more exercise. I don't necessarily mean going to Zumba classes or sculpting my guns at the gym, but fresh air and a good walk are great things.

Next weekend I am going to head to the Trossachs and do a spot of hillwalking with friends. I want exercise - in some form - to become part of my routine. The positives are huge; the release of endorphins, fresh air and sleeping better.

While I do walk everyday, and I do enjoy the 10 minutes in the morning before work, it's just not enough. I need more. Hillwalking and/or rambling is my favourite. Fresh air, beautiful scenery and a sense of achievement - what's not to like?!

I'm thinking Ben Vane, The Cobbler or Ben Bheula are ideal.

Managing your mental health is important, and making small changes does have a big impact, so for me, exercise is going to become part of my routine and hopefully I will be able to cope and manage my depression a lot more without the use of medication.

Exercise is your friend; use it!

Communication

Having mental health issues, specifically depression in my case, alot of my peers have asked me how I deal with it. There is no simple answer, but I do know how to spot the signs that I'm going to go through one of my lows.

Knowing that it's coming doesn't necessarily make it easier, and when I'm deep within that mindset of loneliness, hopelessness and indifference, it's hard to see that things will, as they always do, get better.

These lows can last for as little as a few days, but as long as a few months. Fortunately, I've never suffered for any more than a few weeks in recent years, and I think I know what has made that difference: honesty.

Not always the easiest thing to do, to tell people exactly how you feel, but in my experience, it's not only helped, it's actually been quite a liberating and positive experience. Taking that first step is bloody hard though.

In December 2007 when I was at my lowest ebb, after weeks of a deep depression and an attempt to take my own life, I had a moment of clarity and realisation. Having caring, amazing friends around me made taking the first step easier. I sat my family down and told them how I felt and how I wanted their support. Ever since that dark time, whenever I've had my lows, knowing that even if things get really bad, my depression was no longer a secret and a burden I had to carry myself.

That's not to say that it's alot easier, because when you're in that headspace, it is hard to see the other side, but somewhere at the back of my mind, knowing I'm not alone and my mental health issues are nothing to be ashamed of has changed my life for the better.

Talking to people is often seen as one of the hardest things to do, but from personal experience, it's the best thing I've ever done.

Because of this I'm an advocate of communication and openness and the healing that it can do. Nobody has to face any of these issues alone.

So from one the worst experiences of my life there have been massive positives; being honest and open has been the best thing I've ever done.

Make tiny changes that hurt; tiny changes that work.

The Drugs Don't Work (Well, not for me, I don't think...)

Do the drugs work? Yes, I'm sure they do for some people. My experiences with anti-depressants have been very mixed.

Having been prescribed varying strengths and brands of anti-depressants, I am still unsure if they do actually work or not. It's hard to tell what they actually do, and if they actually help.

At the moment I have stopped taking my medication. I did seek medical advice at first, and my GP said it was okay to go down this route. The side-effects of any medication can differ from person to person, and I was hoping that when I stopped taking mine, the negative, unpleasant effects they have would disappear overnight. It doesn't seem to be the case. Stomach cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, mood-swings and flu-like fever have been a recurring theme over the past nine months.

The last few days I've been suffering alot; mainly stomach cramps and vomiting - lovely. I'm due to have blood tests to ascertain whether these are symptoms caused by the medication, or if they are an ongoing, underlying issues which is merely exacerbated by filling my system with chemicals. Only time will tell.

In terms of what the medication actually does in terms of ensuring my moods are more balanced, it really is almost impossible to tell. Circumstances have a greater bearing on my mood that my medication I'm pretty sure.

While I have now stopped taking my anti-depressants, it's not a case of never again. Mental health, and depression specifically in my case, is such a person-specific issue, that if I feel at some point down the line I need to be on medication again, I will. There is no shame in that.

I do think there needs to be more clarity regarding anti-depressants. A lot of people are prescribed them, and are unsure what they actually do.

I am keen to come off them and stay off them, but as I said, if I feel at some point down the line I need them again, I won't be ashamed or embarrassed and will consult my GP. After all, depression an illness, and with any other illness, medical help and medication would be to standard route, so why do things differently.

However, this is part of the bigger problem; a misunderstanding and stigma connected to depression. Some of the most important work mental health charities do, is try to break down barriers and increase knowledge and understanding of these common issues.

I think the key message is that depression is an illness, and like any other illness, it can be treated medically. People ought to remember that, and if there are more open forums for discussion it will increase understanding and as a result, will ensure that as a society we have a healthier more open-minded view of this common issue.

To that end, whether you are aware of it or not, it's very likely that someone you know will have suffered from mental health issues, and it's vital that we raise money to assist in tackling this problem head on. Make a donation, whatever you can afford, and do your bit to help in changing the way we address mental health in Scotland.

Twelve Good Deeds

That's twelve down, nineteen to go.

I helped a wee auld wummin with her bags at the supermarket in Maryhill this morning. At first she seemed confused (like I was going to steal her purse or something!) but I explained I was just doing a good deed. That was quite interesting; the fact that people will often be quite cynical when a stranger is kind towards them.

Anyway, twelve days in and it's a really nice challenge.

As I mentioned in previous posts here and on Twitter - I am happy to do requests, or do anyone a favour if they can come up with suggestions.

Incidentally, if you are a Twitter user and don't already do so, you can follow my progress @OTNW.

SAMH - Scotland's Leading Mental Health Charity

I'm currently seven days into my fifth month of a year-long fundraising challenge for SAMH, and I've been reflecting on just how important this is to me. Important personally, and of course, more important in terms of trying to make a difference by raising awareness, and ultimately raising funds which would allow Scotland's Leading Mental Health Charity to do more amazing and vital work across the country.

Essentially I decided to raise funds for SAMH, because I firmly believe that mental health is something we, as a society, need to have a greater understanding of.

'Mental Health' can mean vastly different things to everyone; but I think we need to understand that it encompasses a broad range of things, from mild stress to more severe and damaging cases, such as suicide. That said, the amazing work SAMH do, both directly and indirectly will ultimately assist in challenging perceptions, raising awareness, and making mental health a better understood, less stigmatised concept.

After meeting Julie MacDonald from SAMH again this evening, I am even more inspired, excited and dedicated to be assisting in this vital, important work.

Meanwhile, I'm on day seven of May and still haven't done my good deed - I better get cracking. Any suggestions?

I was going to tidy the kitchen, but I got home and it's already been done!

Finally, I urge you, take five minutes out, have a look at the SAMH website, and see what amazing things they are doing - and then donate some money, obviously!

Six Good Deeds

Thus far, for the May Challenge (a good deed a day) I have done the following: bought a stranger a pint, helped someone with their shopping bags, bought a homeless guy his lunch, made my friends dinner, done everyone at work a favour by going to get all the booze needed for  post pay-day office drinks, gave up my seat on the subway and donated money to charity.

Quite good fun so far.

Suggestions welcome. If anyone needs a favour, ask me, and I may do it as one of my Good Deeds.