[Trigger warning: this post references suicide]
Joe Clark is 23 years old and lives in the south east of England. He struggled with psychosis and severe depression in early 2018 and spent three months in hospital recovering. He still copes with feelings of anxiety and depression today but has worked hard to improve his mental health significantly. He is sharing his story to bring hope to others.
I suffered from psychosis and a severe bout of depression and some anxiety in January 2018. I still battle with depression and anxiety to this day, but it is controlled. I know how to manage it a lot more.
I cope by exercising every day. Even if it is a small 30-minute workout, I will do it as it calms me and makes me feel happier, releasing serotonin and endorphins. I run a lot, normally three to four times a week. I’m currently training for half marathons and hopefully a marathon soon to fundraise for another mental health charity. Setting small achievable goals to improve my fitness keeps me going.
I take two types of medication to aid my mental health: an antidepressant and an antipsychotic, now at a small dose. In 2018, I was in hospital for three months, and when I left, I was on around six different medications. Since then, I have improved no end. The medication is an important factor that helps me personally. I have tried coming off my meds completely but am not ready yet. I can tell if I miss a day taking them.
Something that helps me is to talk about my feelings. I also try and keep an awareness of my surroundings in the current moment, such as taking in what I can see or smell. I try to resolve issues through baby steps and talking. Talking helps massively. However, I am also a believer that things should be left in the past and not spoken of again if it brings you too much sadness or too many feelings of uneasiness.
I think mental health research is great. With enough research into issues such as psychosis, depression and other mental health problems, we can help people more efficiently and spot signs so we can intervene quickly before something major or terrible happens. I hope research into depression shows just how normal it is to get depressed and anxious. With more research and scientists sharing their discoveries, they can give clarity to people like me. If I could ask a mental health researcher one thing, it would be 'What makes someone susceptible to mental health problems? Is it upbringing or just chance?' It would be great to find out.
I can’t remember much from when I was at my worst and lowest. I do remember getting emotional many times and staring into space thinking ‘what is the purpose of life?’ with tears rolling down my face. I had plans to take my life, but those times have changed, and now I want to help people who have had those thoughts or are thinking about taking their own life. I’ve been there myself, and my life right now is proof that things get brighter, and there is light. I will continue and try my utmost in improving! THERE IS HOPE 💚
