Mental health awareness for people with disability

barney12

Hello, I’m William and I’m 31 years old and I have cerebral palsy and dystonia. I have struggled with my mental health for the last few years, especially feeling lonely and depressed. I realised I had to talk to people and even ended up seeing professionals (psychologist) and taking anti-depressants. I’m still struggling to this day.
I suddenly realised that I want to try and raise awareness of depression and anxiety for people with disabilities. I feel as though many people don’t realise that people with disabilities can not only suffer from mental illness but are actually more likely to suffer from mental illness as I found when I searched.
What are your opinions on this topic? Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

pooleemily29

@barney12 I'll be the first to admit it that I don't tell anyone when im struggling with my Mental health I'd rather bottle it up then tell anyone. I have struggled with the loneliness thing properly for more years than I can count, i was bullied at school for Cerebral Palsy for the way i walked, and that's really got to me back then because I was young and just started school (mercifully there was someone there to protect me) but now as I've just i find it hard to talk to family about my mental health because I'm scared they'd see it as a joke the way I felt I mean. I suppose my opinion is that by raising awareness of mental health and disabilities not just for people particularly with Cerebral palsy but anyone whose suffering with their mental health. Hopefully crossed fingers it might just reach a wider outlet. @pooleemily29

Mary_Scope

I think this is a really interesting topic and you are right, disabled people are more likely to face depression and anxiety but it's often overlooked @barney12

Your local Mind may be a good place to reach out to to begin your advocacy journey😄

SaraC_Scope

@barney12

I'm part of the CP Network here at Scope. I have CP and epilepsy and struggle with my mental health at times. It was after volunteering with Epilepsy Action where I met someone I was able to talk with, that my awareness of the need to be open began. Over time I reached a level of acceptance.

I started a new job and Scope and linked with the CP Network. Here I began to understand my CP and how I was feeling about things was a natural response. Opening up about my feelings has been helpful for my well being. I don't feel judged asking for help anymore.

We host CP Network zoom meetings on the second Wednesday of each month, if you'd be interested in joining. It's a great space to connect with others who have lived experience. CP Network

barney12

thank you for the comments so far as I say I see a private therapist which luckily I am able too do but I’m guessing that the will be a lot of people out there that aren’t able too!

barney12

you are NOT alone

Emmjf79

Depression has been recurring throughout my life I have both Cerebral Palsy and MS. I have had mixed experiences from there being next to no NHS awareness/counselling in recognition of the emotional and psychological issues that come from living with CP to offering high dose medication to offset the depression or anxiety. I think it’s a very untapped, unexplored area of CP. Like you I’ve privately paid for counselling using PIP (a whole different anxiety inducing topic!). I’ve often struggled to find a counsellor who has appropriate knowledge of CP or disability. I now have a counsellor with a disability which has improved the sessions I’ve accessed. I’m contemplating becoming a counsellor for this very reason.