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Eating Disorders An eating disorder is a mental health disorder where you use food and weight to cope with emotional distress. People of all ages, genders and backgrounds can develop an eating disorder, although teenagers and young women are at higher risk. With treatment, you can recover from an eating disorder. If you are going through an eating disorder, it is important to have the right assessment and treatment as early as possible to help you deal with your physical, nutritional and mental health needs. If you're struggling with an eating disorder you're not alone. There is support there and you can get through it. Recovery is the best option, it can be a long and hard road but you can get through it. You are so much stronger than you even know. "What are the types of eating disorders?" Anorexia Nervosa Anorexia (or anorexia nervosa) is a serious mental illness where people are of low weight due to limiting how much they eat and drink. They may develop “rules” around what they feel they can and cannot eat, as well as things like when and where they’ll eat. Anorexia can affect anyone of any age, gender, ethnicity or background. As well as limiting how much they eat, they may do lots of exercise, make themselves sick, or misuse laxatives to get rid of food eaten. Some people with anorexia may experience cycles of bingeing (eating large amounts of food at once) and then purging. Read more Bulimia (or bulimia nervosa) is a serious mental illness. It can affect anyone of any age, gender, ethnicity or background. People with bulimia are caught in a cycle of eating large quantities of food (called bingeing), and then trying to compensate for that overeating by vomiting, taking laxatives or diuretics, fasting, or exercising excessively (called purging). Treatment at the earliest possible opportunity gives the best chance for a fast and sustained recovery from bulimia. Read more Bulimia OSFED Anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder are diagnosed using a list of expected behavioural, psychological, and physical symptoms. Sometimes a person’s symptoms don’t exactly fit the expected symptoms for any of these three specific eating disorders. In that case, they might be diagnosed with an “other specified feeding or eating disorder” (OSFED). This is very common. OSFED accounts for the highest percentage of eating disorders, and anyone of any age, gender, ethnicity or background can experience it. It is every bit as serious as anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating disorder, and can develop from or into another diagnosis. People suffering from OSFED need and deserve treatment just as much as anyone else with an eating disorder. Read more Rumination disorder Rumination disorder is an illness that involves repetitive, habitual bringing up of food that might be partly digested. It often occurs effortlessly and painlessly, and is not associated with nausea or disgust. Rumination disorder can affect anyone at any age. Vomiting in rumination disorder is different to the kind of sickness you might get with a stomach bug, for example – the person won’t appear to feel sick or experience involuntary retching. The person may re-chew and re-swallow the food or just spit it out. People with rumination disorder often do not feel in control of their disorder. Read more ARFID Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder, more commonly known as ARFID, is a condition characterised by the person avoiding certain foods or types of food, having restricted intake in terms of overall amount eaten, or both. Someone might be avoiding and/or restricting their intake for a number of different reasons. Read more Binge eating disorder Binge eating disorder (BED) is a serious mental illness where people eat very large quantities of food without feeling like they’re in control of what they’re doing. It can affect anyone of any age, gender, ethnicity or background, and evidence suggests it is more common than other eating disorders. Read more Orthorexia refers to an unhealthy obsession with eating “pure” food. Food considered “pure” or “impure” can vary from person to person. This doesn’t mean that anyone who subscribes to a healthy eating plan or diet is suffering from orthorexia. As with other eating disorders, the eating behaviour involved – “healthy” or “clean” eating in this case – is used to cope with negative thoughts and feelings, or to feel in control. Someone using food in this way might feel extremely anxious or guilty if they eat food they feel is unhealthy Orthorexia Read more PICA Pica is a feeding disorder in which someone eats non-food substances that have no nutritional value, such as paper, soap, paint, chalk, or ice. For a diagnosis of pica, the behaviour must be present for at least one month, not part of a cultural practice, and developmentally inappropriate – generally, it’s not diagnosed in children under the age of two, as it is common for babies to “mouth” objects, which can lead to them accidentally eating substances that aren’t meant to be eaten. Often, pica is not revealed until medical consequences occur, such as metal toxicity, cracked teeth, or infections Read more Anyone of any age, gender, background etc can suffer from an eating disorder. You don't need to be underweight to have an eating disorder. Your thoughts and feelings are valid and its important to get help. A person can develop an eating disorder for any number of reasons, and there is usually an accumulation of ‘risk factors’ which are identified as the person progresses through treatment. It is not always the case that something significantly traumatic has happened in a person’s life that has caused the eating disorder, although sometimes this can be the case. More often than not, there are many factors that for some reason interact in a particular way for that particular person, triggering them to engage in disordered eating behaviours, which in turn triggers their thinking to become distorted and results in the person becoming increasingly ‘imprisoned’ by the eating disorder. - Bodywhys BEAT Eating disorders can take up someone's life and they might feel horrible about themselves. Try to be patient if you know someone who is struggling and listen. Beateatingdisorder UK is a brilliant charity in the UK and they have a lot of information and resources. Body whys Ireland is also a great Charity for eating disorders in Ireland. Bodywhys If you or someone else is in crisis or having a medical emergency, go to your nearest hospital or call your countrys emergency number. 999, 911, 112,000 Resources and helplines

Kontakt meg Irland thehopeproject2021@gmail.com The Hope Project is here to provide support to those struggling with mental health issues. We are available to listen to anyone. For those who want to vent, talk about anything, write about their day or anything else, they can message us and we'll be there to listen. We understand how hard it can be to talk about mental health issues, and we are here for you. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. Navn E-post Emne Beskjed Sende inn

About the Hope project T heHopeProject.ie is a mental health resource website created by Charlotte McDonnell, a teenager from Tipperary, Ireland. The website offers support and information for those struggling with mental health issues in Ireland, with an emphasis on providing hope and encouragement. The website features articles on a range of mental health topics, incl uding depression, anxiety, and suicide prevention. These articles aim to provide information and practical advice on managing mental health issues. The website also offers a directory of mental health support services available in Ireland, including phone and online support services. The website's message of hope and encouragement can be especially beneficial for young people who may be experiencing mental health challenges for the first time. Overall, TheHopeProject.ie is a valuable resource for those seeking support and guidance on mental health issues in Ireland. The website's emphasis on hope and the availability of resources and information can be a lifeline for anyone struggling with their mental health. In 2020 the Hope project was created on Instagram. It started off as just sharing quotes, helpline numbers for Ireland and spreading awareness on mental health and suicide. I came up with the idea due to my own struggles with mental health and the system in Ireland. I wanted people to know they aren't alone and there's support there . In January 2022 I created the hope project website, I was still struggling with my mental health but I wanted a reason to keep going so I really pushed myself and made the hope project bigger and better. I got in contact with TDs, HSE and many other people to tell them a change needs to be made to the mental health system in Ireland as the current system is not working and adolescents are being left alone when they need these services. The website was created with the idea to have a safe place online for people worldwide to go to when they may be struggling. The project then went onto TikTok. From TikTok the hope project gained a bigger following. In the summer of 2022 I opened a shop to sell items to raise money for suicide prevention posters, website upgrades, future events etc. The Hope project hoodie was the first item to be created. The idea of it was that if someone was wearing the hoodie and other people who may be struggling saw it, they may think that it does get better and take it as a sign to keep going. The hope project now runs itself, I do update the website once or twice a month and I'm always posting on the Instagram and TikTok. I couldn't have created the project without the support from my friends, family and especially the followers of the hope project. I hope to help many more people in the future with the hope project and the message will always stay the same. - HOPE - Hold On, Pain Ends. You will get through every hard day. The pain you may be feeling now wont last forever. Stay strong. I'm proud of you all. - Charlotte Mac

If you or someone you know is in an abusive situation you're not alone. There is help available. Abuse and getting help If you or some you know is experiencing abuse or has in the past there is help available. You're not alone. Domestic abuse Domestic abuse and coercive control is a persistent and deliberate pattern of behaviour by an abuser over a prolonged period of time designed to achieve obedience and create fear. It may include coercion, threats, stalking, intimidation, isolation, degradation and control. It may also include physical and/or sexual violence. Domestic abuse and coercive control are all about making a persons world smaller – trapping them, restricting them independence and freedom. A controlling partner may shut out their friends and family, control their movements, micro-manage what she eats or wears, restrict their access to money – all the time chipping away at their confidence and destroying their self-respect. It is not their imagination. It is not their fault. It is not acceptable. Les mer Getting help If you’re trying to decide whether to stay or leave, you may be feeling confused, uncertain, frightened, and torn. Maybe you’re still hoping that your situation will change or you’re afraid of how your partner will react if he discovers that you’re trying to leave. One moment, you may desperately want to get away, and the next, you may want to hang on to the relationship. Maybe you even blame yourself for the abuse or feel weak and embarrassed because you’ve stuck around in spite of it. Don’t be trapped by confusion, guilt, or self-blame. The only thing that matters is your safety. If you are being abused, remember: You are not to blame for being battered or mistreated. You are not the cause of your partner’s abusive behavior. You deserve to be treated with respect. You deserve a safe and happy life. Your children deserve a safe and happy life. You are not alone. There are people waiting to help. There are supports available to help keep you safe. Your GP can help by referring you to appropriate supports and services in your local area. If you are in immediate danger, contact the Gardaí or call 999. You can also contact the Women’s Aid national helpline on 1800 341 900. Your local Citizens Information Centre can give you advice on your rights. They will also tell you about the supports and services available in your local area. Sexual assault or rape If you need to talk to someone in confidence about sexual assault or rape, the Rape Crisis Centre (1800 77 88 88 ) can help. Domestic violence Women’s Aid can help you if you are experiencing domestic violence. They give advice on how you can help yourself and others. You can also contact them 24 hours-a-day on 1800 341 900 . Men's Aid Ireland is a service for men who are experiencing domestic violence. You can call them on 01 554 3811 or email hello@mensaid.ie . Child Abuse Child abuse can be categorised into four different types: neglect, emotional abuse, physical abuse and sexual abuse. A child may be subjected to one or more forms of abuse at any given time. Abuse and neglect can occur within the family, in the community or in an institutional setting. The abuser may be someone known to the child or a stranger, and can be an adult, or another child. In a situation where abuse is alleged to have been carried out by another child, you should consider it a child welfare and protection issue for both children and you should follow child protection procedures for both the victim and the alleged abuser. The important factor in deciding whether the behaviour is abuse or neglect is the impact of that behaviour on the child rather than the intention of the parent/carer. Signs of Child Abuse Child abuse can be categorised into four different types: neglect, emotional abuse, physical abuse and sexual abuse. A child may be subjected to one or more forms of abuse at any given time. Abuse and neglect can occur within the family, in the community or in an institutional setting. The abuser may be someone known to the child or a stranger, and can be an adult, or another child. In a situation where abuse is alleged to have been carried out by another child, you should consider it a child welfare and protection issue for both children and you should follow child protection procedures for both the victim and the alleged abuser. The important factor in deciding whether the behaviour is abuse or neglect is the impact of that behaviour on the child rather than the intention of the parent/carer. Få hjelp til barnemishandling Barn og unge Childline er en konfidensiell støttetjeneste for barn og unge. De tar imot telefoner om en lang rekke problemer, inkludert overgrep. Du kan kontakte dem 24 timer i døgnet på 1800 66 66 66 . Du kan også sende tekstmeldinger 'Snakk' til 50101 . Du kan også kontakte tusla https://www.tusla.ie/services/child-protection-welfare/definitions-of-child-abuse/ Resources in different countries Harassment It can take many forms such as: rude gestures touching following or watching damage to property and/or vehicles name calling and/or taunting phone calls and voicemails notes and/or letters emails and/or text messages rubbish being thrown on your property loud noise or music from neighbours Tweets, Facebook comments, YouTube videos; and other online posts If you are a victim of harassment you may feel: That nobody is taking it seriously, and that something terrible will have to happen before you are really believed That you have no option but to move out of your neighbourhood or leave your workplace Afraid to answer your phone or look at your text messages Afraid to go away from your home in case damage is done while you are away Anxious any time you leave your home Worried about the effects on your children Afraid that if you report each incident the Police will think you are a nuisance or will not believe you Concerned that if you report the harassment, the situation may get worse. Harassment is an unwanted pattern of behaviour that can leave you feeling intimidated, scared , irritert og/eller ydmyket. Les mer Hold en skriftlig oversikt over hver hendelse. Skriv ned tid og sted for hendelsen, med så mange detaljer som mulig, og noter ned enhver person som så hva som skjedde og som kan være vitne i ethvert tilfelle. straffesak. Rapporter forbrytelsen til Gardaí. Trakassering er en forbrytelse. Det er viktig at du rapporterer det og at du gir en uttalelse til Gardaí om hva som skjer. Hver hendelse bør rapporteres til Gardaí. Hvis en hendelse er serious, bør den rapporteres umiddelbart til Gardaí. Vurder mekling. Spesielt hvis det er trakassering i nabolaget ditt, kan denne ikke-konfronterende tilnærmingen gi det beste resultatet for deg. Mekling er en konfidensiell tjeneste som tilbyr en alternativ metode for parter som er involvert i en tvist for å løse sine problemer og oppnå en avtale som er akseptabel for begge sider. Imidlertid er mekling ikke alltid mulig or advisable i noen situasjoner. Hvis du tror mekling kan være et alternativ for din situasjon, vennligst kontakt Crime Victims Helpline for mer informasjon. Ta vare på alle tekster, taleposter, e-poster eller skjermbilder av kommentarer på sosiale medier, da de vil være nyttige i enhver etterforskning som kan finne sted. Ta kontakt med leverandøren av telefontjenester for råd hvis trakassering skjer via telefon. Hver leverandør har en policy for å håndtere problemet. Det kan være mulig å blokkere uønsket innkommende kommunikasjon. Hvis trakasseringen er via sosiale medier, kan du rapportere det til den aktuelle sosiale medieorganisasjonen. Det er mulig å blokkere en person fra å ta kontakt med deg på de fleste sosiale medier. Vurder å installere en kameraenhet på eiendommen din for å bevise trakassering, og som en avskrekkende. Lavpriskameraer er nå tilgjengelige. Unngå å bli trukket inn i en tvist. Ikke rop tilbake eller gjengjeld. Hvis du gjør det, er det mindre sannsynlig at en sak vil føre frem mot den som plager deg. Hvis trakasseringen skjer i et offentlig boligområde, sørg for at du melder fra til fylkes- eller bystyret. Hvis trakasseringen finner sted in your workplace_cc781905-5cde-35c1905-5cde-3194-bb3b-136bad5cf58d_workplace_cc781905-5cde-35c-1905-your workplace_cc781905-5cde-31934-bb. Snakk om følelsene dine med noen du kan stole på – et familiemedlem, en venn, en kollega. Å gå gjennom denne opplevelsen er veldig vanskelig, og det er viktig å ha support. Spør om sikkerhetstiltak som kan tas for å forhindre trakassering. Du kan søke råd fra a Garda kriminalitetsforebyggende offiser._cc781905-51905-5cde-badrcd3, lokale stasjon. For mer informasjon om hva du kan gjøre, eller hvis du ønsker å diskutere din erfaring som et offer for trakassering, kan du kontakte Crime Victims Helpline gratis på 116 006. Hva du kan gjøre hvis du blir trakassert Mer informasjon Hvis du trenger mer informasjon eller fra Storbritannia her er noen lenker som kan hjelpe. Garda offertjenester Politiets støttetjenester i Storbritannia Overgrep i hjemmet Storbritannia kvinnehjelp uk Tilflukt Husk UK Rådgivningslinje for menn støttelinje Storbritannia Innbyggerinformasjon Storbritannia Politiet i Storbritannia Barnelinje uk Håper prosjektressurser og informasjon

Having suicidal thoughts can be frightening but remeber you are not alone, with the right support you will get through this. The hope project is here for you. Suicidal Thoughts If you are having thoughts of suicide you're not alone. They can be scary and they can give you many other unwanted feelings and thoughts. Remember you don't have to act on these thoughts. You are so loved and worth so much. What are suicidal thoughts? Feeling suicidal can range from thinking about dying to planning how to do it. It might make you feel scared or overwhelmed, but it's important to know you're not alone. Many people go through these thoughts at some point in their lives. People experience suicidal feelings differently. You might feel overwhelmed by tough emotions, feeling like you can't handle them. It might not be so much about wanting to die, but feeling like you can't keep living the way you are. These feelings can grow gradually or fluctuate from one moment to the next. It's normal to feel confused about why you're feeling this way. These thoughts aren't permanent, You will feel okay again, with the right support . When you're in the grip of suicidal feelings, it can be really tough. It might seem like there's no way out, like acting on those feelings is the only option, or that nothing can make the pain go away. But remember, those feelings, though intense, can pass. In this moment, there are things you can try. Even if it feels like nothing will make a difference, give these strategies a chance. You might feel differently once you've given them a shot. Instead of fixating on the future, focus on getting through this moment or day. You've likely experienced similar feelings before, and they've eventually faded. Remind yourself that this pain is temporary; it will likely ease with time. Try changing your immediate thoughts by doing something different or shifting your focus. It doesn't have to be a big change—small steps can help. Don’t make a decision today You don’t need to act on your thoughts right now. You can try to focus on just getting through now, or today, and not the rest of your life. You may have had these thoughts before, but you feel less able to cope today. You might find that you are more able to cope in a few days. Other ways to cope Talk to someone about how you are feeling - This could be a Family Member, Teacher, Friend, Counsellor or a Hotline. If you are finding it hard to talk about what you’re going through, you can try starting with: “Lately, I’ve been feeling…” “I think it started when…” “I’ve been feeling this for a while…” or “I’m thinking about…” Write about your feelings, Writing down how you are feeling can really help. Writing in a journal or on a piece of paper and then destroying that paper can give you a sense of relief. Take things a little at a time. Set out to get through the next day, the next week or month, perhaps the next hour or even less. Tell yourself: "I've got through so far, I can get through the next hour". Coping with these thoughts What you May think or feel hopeless, like there is no point in living tearful and overwhelmed by negative thoughts unbearable pain that you can't imagine ending useless, not wanted or not needed by others desperate, as if you have no other choice like everyone would be better off without you cut off from your body or physically numb fascinated by death. What you may experience poor sleep, including waking up earlier than you want to a change in appetite, weight gain or loss no desire to take care of yourself, for example neglecting your physical appearance wanting to avoid others making a will or giving away possessions struggling to communicate self-loathing and low self-esteem urges to self-harm . Mind.org Distractions Do something else, and focus your attention fully on what you're doing, e.g. • Gardening Household chores Physical exercise - walk, run, cycle, dance. Tapping (Emotional Freedom Technique) Reading - magazine, self help book Television Seek out a supportive discussion forum on the internet • Learn something new on the internet • Go to the park, the beach - pay attention to nature. Visit someone Music Play with a pet. DIY Feed the birds Sudoku or crossword Do something creative: painting, writing, knitting, play a musical instrument, make a collage, bake a cake, cook a meal, arrange some flowers, make a website or blog. Safety Plan Having a safety plan while in a moment of crisis can be extremely helpful. You can make your own on websites and apps such as: Canva Word Phonto Or you can download some online. Samaritans Getselfhelp SpunOut.ie Everylifematters Resources and helplines Ireland Samaritans - Call 116123 or email Jo@samaritans.ie . Pieta House - Call 1800 247 247 or Text HELP to 51444 Text about it - Text HELLO to 50808 Childline - For people up to the age of 18 Freephone 1800 66 66 66 Text 50101 Live chat at www.childline.ie Go to your GP if you are struggling. In an emergency go to your local hospital or call 999 and ask for Ambulance or Gardi For other Countries please go to our resources and helplines page. Resources If you think that its the end remember your life is just beginning. UK Samaritans - Call 116123 Email jo@samaritans.org Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) Call 0800 58 58 58 – 5pm to midnight every day Visit the webchat page Papyrus – prevention of young suicide HOPELINE247 Call 0800 068 41 41 Text 07860 039967 Email pat@papyrus-uk.org Childline – for children and young people under 19 Call 0800 1111 SOS Silence of Suicide – for everyone Call 0300 1020 505 – 4pm to midnight every day Email support@sossilenceofsuicide.org Shout Crisis Text Line – for everyone Text "SHOUT" to 85258 YoungMinds Crisis Messenger – for people under 19 Text "YM" to 85258 Go to your GP if you are struggling. If you or someone you know is in Crisis call 999 and ask for Ambulance or Police, or go to your nearest hospital. You will get through this, You are not alone.

Information of self harm along with distraction techniques and how to cope. Self Harm Self harm is when a person causes physical pain to themselves. It can include cutting, biting, scratching, burning and many other ways. There can be many reasons that a person self harms for example they could be getting bullied, experiencing a loss, discrimination, stress, disability's etc. People can self harm as a release and its a way they cope with overwhelming emotional pain. It is a difficult issue to start talking about and not a lot of people understand why someone may self harm. Types of self-harm There are many different ways people can intentionally harm themselves, such as: cutting or burning their skin punching or hitting themselves poisoning themselves with tablets or toxic chemicals misusing alcohol or drugs deliberately starving themselves (anorexia nervosa) or binge eating (bulimia nervosa) excessively exercising People often try to keep self-harm a secret because of shame or fear of it being seen. They may cover up their skin and avoid discussing the problem. It's often up to close family and friends to notice when somebody is self-harming. They should approach the subject with care and understanding. It can also include behaviours that have some level of suicide intent, such as overdoses. How to support someone who self harms. Stay calm, you may feel angry or confused as to why someone you care about would self harm, but acting with anger can shut the conversation down and make that person feel worse and more alone. Self harm is a sign of serious emotional distress. you can ask open questions about their feelings. these can be as simple as "how are you feeling". Give them time to openly express their emotions and give them space and time to talk. Show that you care and be non- judgemental. Tell them about support services available and tell them they aren't alone. https://www.samaritans.org/ireland/how-we-can-help/if-youre-having-difficult-time/if-you-want-self-harm/ Be patient because it will take time for them to feel better and they might not understand yet why they feel the way they do. How to help yourself if you self harm You may feel like self harming is your only way to feel better or feel able to cope, but there are other ways. There are services out there made to help. Self harm is not your only option, you could call a helpline or text We do have a page where there are many supports -Resources and Helplines These services have trained professionals who want to help you. You are not alone you will get through this. You can also go to your GP for help. Distractions Paint or draw Keep a journal, writing down your feelings can help. Write a letter about how you are feeling and tear it up. Colour an entire blank page until its filled with colour. Listen to music Sing or play an instrument Call a friend or hotline helplines Play with or walk a pet Exercise Tear a piece of paper into hundreds of pieces Draw on yourself with red marker where you want to self harm Hold ice cubes. they can ground you and you can also add red food colouring Cook or Bake Clean or organise your room. say the alphabet backwards Play with fidget toys There are more distraction techniques on -http://www.selfinjury.bctr.cornell.edu/perch/resources/distraction-techniques-pm-2.pdf There is no shame in asking for help, we all need some from time to time. Talk to a trusted adult like a teacher or parent, you can also talk to your friends. I got some of this information from the different sites already linked but I myself know how hard it is to struggle with self harm so you are not alone. with the right supports and motivation self harm can be something in your past. If you need any more information from The Hope Project ask on the "Lets Chat" button on the website or email Thehopeproject.ie@gmail.com and we will get back to you as soon as we can. Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise. More information Information for parents

Hope Project News Here you can find all media Interviews, News and events regarding the hope project and so much more. 01/ 03/ 2023 TippFm " We are the forgotten generation when it comes to mental health" "Charlotte is 17 years old from Carrick on Suir. She set up the Hope Project two years ago when she was just 15. The ‘Hope’ part of the group is an abbreviation for ‘Hold on Pain Ends.’ The Project has a community of people from all around the globe. Charlotte was in studio with Fran. Press here to Listen. 14/ 02/ 2023 Irish Examiner "Case study: 'Under-18s are the forgotten generation' Charlotte McDonnell (17) was not surprised at the latest report criticising the Camhs, having faced obstacles during her time with the services in Tipperary." Press here to read full article Photo taken by John D Kelly 03/ 02/ 2023 Tipperary Live " Carrick-on-Suir teenager's HOPE Project campaigns for better mental health services for young people. A Carrick-on-Suir teenager is the founder of an online project promoting mental health awareness and advocating for better mental health services for young people. The Hope Project website was set up by Charlotte McDonnell two years ago when she was 15-years-old Press here to read full article 03/ 11/ 2022 WLRFM "Charlotte Mac is a 17 year-old living in Carrick who joined Damien in studio to discuss her website The Hope Project. She set it up two years ago when she was just 15. The 'Hope' part of the website is an abbreviation for 'Hold On Pain Ends.' The Project has a community of people from all around the globe, including in America and the UK." Press here to listen

You can post your story and something you have gone through and It will be uploaded onto the website so other people can read it and see they arent alone. It is anonymous. Your stories Welcome, this part of the hope project is called "your stories". Here you can submit your own story anonymously and if you choose it will be posted here. You can write about anything from your mental health struggles and feelings, bullying, school stress, something traumatic that happened to you etc. This is a way to talk about something that you are too scared to tell anyone. You can also read other peoples story's because maybe you will relate and wont feel so alone. Whatever your story is we are here to listen and it matters. Please press the link to be taken to where you can submit your story. Se mer Jeg har lidd av psykiske problemer i omtrent 3 år og slitt med selvskading og selvmordstanker mesteparten av den tiden. en dag i fjor hadde jeg akkurat fått nok, og jeg hadde helt gitt opp og mistet håpet om at noe skulle bli bedre, den kvelden gjorde jeg et forsøk på livet mitt som deretter havnet på sykehus med behov for behandling. For alle som vurderer å ta livet sitt, gi livet en sjanse til, jeg vet at ting er ufattelig tøft for deg akkurat nå, men ting kan bli bedre med tiden og riktig hjelp. du betyr noe, du er sterk og verden er et bedre sted med deg i den. fortsett å kjempe <3 Jeg har slitt med mental helse i årevis, det har vært det vanskeligste jeg har måttet gjennomgå fordi jeg følte meg så alene selv når folk prøvde å hjelpe meg. Jeg føler at jeg har mistet meg selv fullstendig det siste året, og jeg er deprimert og engstelig hele tiden, eller jeg føler meg følelsesløs og det er enda verre. Jeg har hatt mange selvmordsforsøk, og jeg har også vært innlagt på sykehus. Jeg har støtte fra familie og venner, og så mye de prøver kan de ikke hjelpe. Selvmordstankene mine ble så mye sterkere og å fortsette hver dag føles som om jeg løper et maraton. Det blir bedre, det er bare vanskelig. Jeg vet at jeg kommer til å bli glad en dag, det er bare så vanskelig å vente på det. Hvis du sliter, fortsett å fly xxx Anchor 1 Hei, dette er min historie. Som barn hadde jeg vanskelig for å vokse opp, jeg ble fortalt at jeg ikke kunne gjøre mange ting, og de trodde aldri jeg kunne. Jeg har ryggmargsbrokk. Ryggmargsbrokk er en diagnose stilt av leger mens du var i livmoren eller så snart du ble født eller det sa de da jeg var barn, men nå kan du bli diagnostisert senere i livet. Jeg ble diagnostisert da jeg fylte to, de fortalte moren min at det ikke var noe galt med meg, men det var det. Det har vært vanskelig å vokse opp gjennom å bli dømt offentlig til å bli mobbet på skolen til å bli behandlet helt annerledes, og det er ikke rettferdig. Folk anser meg som heldig fordi det er andre som har det mye verre enn meg, og det vet jeg. Jeg anses som heldig sammenlignet med dem fordi jeg er i stand til å gå, jeg er i stand til å leve livet mitt og jeg er veldig mett for det. Vi skal ikke behandles annerledes. Siden jeg fortsatt går på ungdomsskolen er kampen ikke over ennå, men du må fortsette. Jeg skal nå gullet under regnbuen 🌈 Det er min historie De siste 3 eller 4 årene har jeg jobbet med dårlig mental helse, jeg har gått til forskjellige organisasjoner for terapi. Jeg slet med selvmordstanker og ville vurdere å handle på dem på daglig basis. Jeg ville skade meg selv, og det var dager hvor jeg ikke ønsket å gjøre annet enn å ligge i sengen borte fra verden. Men etter en stund med terapi, for å forstå hvordan jeg følte, ble jeg bedre. Sprekker kan ikke gro helt, men jeg vet at jeg er mye lykkeligere enn før, alt fordi jeg håpet og jobbet hardt for å være der jeg er i dag. Det er lys i enden av en tunnel, og når du innser at du ikke er alene, er det ditt første skritt i riktig retning. Jeg har prøvd å avslutte livet 7 ganger, sist gang jeg var på sykehus en god stund. Jeg tenker fortsatt på å gjøre det igjen, men så husker jeg alle menneskene jeg ville etterlatt, og jeg kan ikke gjøre det mot dem. Folk sier det vil bli bedre, men jeg vet at det vil ta mye tid å komme dit, men jeg vet at jeg kan gjøre dette. DU HAR DETTE JEG TROR PÅ DEG! Jeg har slitt med min psykiske helse siden jeg var 12 år, er nå snart 30 og har en diagnoseliste. Akkurat nå er hvert sekund av hver dag en kamp. men jeg vet at jeg har overlevd 18 år med dette, så å gi opp nå ville kastet alt dette. Jeg vil bare at det skal bli bedre. Jeg er lei av å kjempe. Jeg har hatt perioder med lykke, så jeg vet at det kommer tilbake En dag, men det er så vanskelig å fokusere på det når ting blir så mørkt. historien min begynte da jeg var 10 år gammel da jeg ble seksuelt misbrukt av en av mine brødre venner, det skjedde ved flere anledninger og traff meg egentlig ikke før jeg var 14 eller 15. Jeg begynte å bli veldig engstelig og på kanten også som lider av depressive episoder. i løpet av den tiden begynte jeg å skade meg selv som en måte å takle det på. det var da jeg var 16 da jeg begynte å oppleve selvmordstanker som konsumerte tankene mine hele tiden. Jeg er for tiden 17 og kjemper fortsatt med tankene mine, selvmordstanker og tanken på tilbakefall. Jeg håper til alle som leser dette at du har det bra og at du holder deg sterk. du er så verdsatt. du er så verdig. og jeg elsker deg så mye det er min historie x I recently lost my uncle to cancer and it fully destroyed me, i ended up shutting myself away and turning to self harm as i couldn't even start to explain the feelings in me. But there is always a light at the end of the tunnel even when its beyond hard to find, but throughout it ive learnt theres always going to be someone there to help you and get you back on the right track x "I’ve been struggling my whole life with my mental health I grew up with drug addicted parents and the trauma and pain from that really broke me I found one of my parents almost dead one day but I never really understood half of it tell I got older it only got worse when I started secondary school I spiralled into a bad depression I started self harming and developing my own mental issues on top of the trauma I grew up with the pain I felt inside broke me racing sad thoughts 24 hours of the day and I jsut couldn’t think about anything else I tried loads of things to help me but nothing stopped I had restless nights and a chest filled with axienty all the times I was sent to camhs and told them all of my story and I was told I was looking for attention at that point I felt so alone that I was nearing a attempt on my life i tried peita house they where good but it Only helped for a few hours to share my story but it dint change anything for me I was so tired of it all I left school stopped doing the things I loved and I felt so bad because most of the pain I was feeling was projected onto others with anger and I just wanted to scream my pain out but I jsut couldn’t in fear of being judged every day was a loop i simply thought nobody would care and when I came home every day or night I had nobody to turn to because my parents would be on drugs or asleep because they where taking drugs the night before. I grew up so quick because of all this I still struggle to this day but I’m getting better now the scars I have are just battle scars and it reminds me everyday that I’m strong because look what I got myself through makes me feel so proud of myself because I’ve been through the unthinkable sad life and I somehow pulled through -HOLD ON PAIN ENDS" Your Stories Do you want your story submitted anonymously on the page. Choose an Issue Write Your story here Send Thank you, You are very brave.

Bipolar disorder Bipolar disorder Bipolar disorder Bipolar disorder Information, support and Tips on how to cope. What is Bipolar Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition characterized by extreme mood swings between periods of mania and depression. People with bipolar disorder may experience intense highs, increased energy, and impulsivity during manic episodes, followed by periods of deep sadness, low energy, and hopelessness during depressive episodes. The mood shifts can significantly impact a person's daily life and functioning. Rapid cycling bipolar Bipolar with mixed features Bipolar with seasonal pattern Bipolar 1 Bipolar 2 Cyclothymia Types Rapid cycling in bipolar disorder means experiencing four or more mood swings (manic, hypomanic, depressive, or mixed) in a year. It can make treatment more challenging and impact daily life, requiring adjustments to medications and therapy. Not everyone with bipolar disorder rapid cycles Rapid cycling Bipolar with mixed features Bipolar with mixed features means feeling both manic and depressed at the same time. This is sometimes called mixed bipolar state or mixed affective bipolar. Bipolar 1 Bipolar I is a mood disorder where individuals have at least one intense manic episode, characterized by elevated or irritable mood and increased energy. Depressive episodes may also occur, Cyclothymic Cyclothymic Disorder, or cyclothymia, is a milder form of bipolar disorder. It involves recurring periods of hypomanic symptoms (less severe than full-blown mania) and depressive symptoms that do not meet the criteria for a major depressive episode. Individuals with cyclothymia may experience mood swings, but the symptoms are less intense and do not typically interfere significantly with daily functioning. It's a chronic condition that lasts for at least two years (one year in children and adolescents). Cyclothymic Disorder is considered a subtype within the broader category of bipolar and related disorders. Cyclothymia can be a difficult diagnosis to receive. You may feel as though someone is saying your symptoms are 'not serious enough', but this isn't the case. Cyclothymia can seriously impact your life. And mental health is a spectrum that covers lots of different experiences. Bipolar with seasonal pattern Bipolar disorder with seasonal pattern means that mood swings (like feeling high or low) follow a seasonal cycle. For some, depression may happen more in winter, and mania or high energy may occur in spring or summer. Bipolar II is a mood disorder marked by cycles of depression and hypomania. Hypomania is a less severe form of mania, involving elevated mood and increased energy. Individuals with Bipolar II don't experience full-blown mania but still have significant mood shifts. Bipolar 2 Bipolar disorder with seasonal pattern means that mood swings (like feeling high or low) follow a seasonal cycle. For some, depression may happen more in winter, and mania or high energy may occur in spring or summer. Bipolar 2 You are not alone Learning to cope Dealing with bipolar disorder can be tough, especially without clear coping strategies. Finding effective ways to manage is Important for a better life. It's important to understand bipolar disorder personally, and professionals suggest these tips. While it might be challenging to find the right approach, staying open-minded and resilient can make a big difference. Monitor your mood You might find it helps to keep track of your moods over a period of time. You could try noting down mood patterns in a diary or on your phone. Understanding your triggers You might find it helps to understand what can trigger changes in your mood. Triggers are different for different people. Some examples include: Feeling overwhelmed or busy Stressful periods Significant life events, like weddings, having a child or losing a loved one Periods of change or uncertainty Lack of sleep Other physical or mental health issues Changes or problems with your treatment for bipolar disorder It can help to recognise these patterns. Then you can take action to avoid the trigger or minimise its impact. Learn your warning signs You may start to notice a pattern to how you feel before an episode. This could be changes in your: Sleeping pattern Eating patterns or appetite Behaviour Being aware that you're about to have a change in mood can help you make sure that: You have support systems in place You can focus on looking after yourself You're able to share warning signs with family and friends who can help you Stick to a routine Having a routine can help you feel calmer if your mood is high, motivated if your mood is low, and generally more stable. Your routine could include: Day-to-day activities, such as the time you eat meals and go to sleep. Making time for relaxation , mindfulness , hobbies and social plans. Taking any medication at the same time each day. This can also help you manage side effects and make sure there's a consistent level in your system. Mange stress Stress can trigger mood episodes . There are lots of things you can try which might help you to: Avoid stress Manage stress Look after yourself when you feel stressed Look after your physical health Try to get enough sleep. Disturbed sleep can be both a trigger and a symptom of episodes. Getting enough sleep can help you keep your mood stable or shorten an episode. Eat a healthy diet Eating a balanced and nutritious diet can help you feel well, think clearly and calm your mood. Exercise regularly Gentle exercise, like yoga or swimming, can help you relax and manage stress. Regular exercise can help by: Using up energy when you're feeling high Releasing endorphins – the 'feel-good' chemicals in the brain – when you're feeling low Build a support network Building a support network could help to manage your mood. This might include friends, family or other people in your life who you trust and can talk to. The kind of support they can offer includes: Being able to recognise signs that you may be experiencing a mood episode . Helping you look after yourself by keeping a routine or a healthy diet. Listening and offering their understanding. Helping you reflect on and remember what happened during a manic episode. Helping you plan for a crisis . Try to tell those around you what you find helpful and what you don't find helpful. For example, you can agree together what things you'd like their help with and what you would like to manage by yourself. Information from Bipolar UK Treatment Options Managing bipolar disorder involves reducing the intensity and frequency of depressive and manic episodes. Untreated episodes can endure for 3 to 6 months, with depressive episodes typically lasting between 6 to 12 months. With effective intervention, improvements are often noticeable within approximately 3 months. Various treatment approaches exist, including medications, psychological therapies, and lifestyle adjustments like dietary enhancements and better sleep habits. Your GP and psychiatrist will discuss these options with you, and many individuals with bipolar disorder can undergo treatment without requiring hospitalization. In severe cases or when governed by the Mental Health Act, hospitalization may be necessary due to the risk of self-harm or harm to others. A day hospital might be considered in certain situations, allowing for treatment during the day with the flexibility to return home at night. Therapy Options This may include: psychoeducation – to find out more about bipolar disorder cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) family therapy supportive psychotherapy (counselling) trauma informed psychotherapy Talking with a trained therapist is an important part of treatment for bipolar disorder. A therapist can help you deal with depression. They can also give you advice on how to improve relationships and address any unresolved trauma or emotional distress. Psychological treatment usually consists of around 16 sessions. Each session lasts an hour and takes place over a period of 6 to 9 months. Lifestyle Getting regular exercise Planning activities you enjoy that give you a sense of achievement Improving your diet Getting more sleep You can get lifestyle advice from your psychologist or community mental health team. Learning to recognise triggers You can learn to recognise the warning signs of an episode of mania or depression. Someone close to you may be able to help you identify your early signs of relapse from your history. For example, a mental health professional, peer support worker, family member or friend. Wellness Recovery Action Plans (WRAP) are very useful. Your local community mental health team can advise you on how to develop this plan. This will not prevent the episode from happening, but it will allow you to get help in time. This may mean making some changes to your treatment. Your GP or specialist can talk to you about this. -HSE Support Support can mean talking with a friend, family member, teacher, GP or Mental health services. Don't suffer in silence there are people there to listen. Bipolar UK St Patricks Mental health services Aware Ireland Ireland resources Other Countries Information from this website has come from the NHS, HSE and bipolar Uk.

Anxiety Anxiety is your body's natural response to stress. It's a feeling of fear or apprehension about what's to come. The first day of school, going to a job interview, or giving a speech may cause most people to feel fearful and nervous. - https://www.healthline.com/health/anxiety Anxiety is quite hard to live with and it’s different for everyone. A lot of people might not understand anxiety but everyone gets anxiety from time to time just other people are anxious all the time. What triggers one person's anxiety may not create the same response in someone else. A break-up, concern about exams or work, or an argument with a friend can make you feel anxious, worried or scared. Anxiety is an everyday feeling. But it can become a problem when there is no obvious reason for it. Or when anxious feelings persist for more than a couple of weeks. Physical effects of anxiety Dry mouth and/or difficulty swallowing Nightmares Difficulty getting to and staying asleep Poor concentration Muscle tension and headaches Rapid heart rate and breathing Sweating or trembling Diarrhoea A flare-up of another health problem or illness (for example, dermatitis, asthma) Some common ways anxiety can affect your behaviour and feelings Irritability or always being in a bad mood Having a strong urge to avoid situations that could trigger your anxiety Worry or always feeling that something bad is about to happen Asking a lot of needless questions and needing constant reassurance Being a perfectionist Being pessimistic and focusing on what may go wrong in any given situation https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/mental-health/anxiety.html How to deal with anxiety. Try these when you're feeling anxious or stressed: Take a time-out. Practice yoga, listen to music, meditate, get a massage, or learn relaxation techniques. Stepping back from the problem helps clear your head. Eat well-balanced meals. Do not skip any meals. Do keep healthful, energy-boosting snacks on hand. Limit alcohol and caffeine, which can aggravate anxiety and trigger panic attacks. Get enough sleep. When stressed, your body needs additional sleep and rest. Exercise daily to help you feel good and maintain your health. Check out the fitness tips below. Take deep breaths. Inhale and exhale slowly. Count to 10 slowly. Repeat, and count to 20 if necessary. Do your best. Instead of aiming for perfection, which isn't possible, be proud of however close you get. Accept that you cannot control everything. Put your stress in perspective: Is it really as bad as you think? Welcome humor. A good laugh goes a long way. Maintain a positive attitude. Make an effort to replace negative thoughts with positive ones. Get involved. Volunteer or find another way to be active in your community, which creates a support network and gives you a break from everyday stress. Learn what triggers your anxiety. Is it work, family, school, or something else you can identify? Write in a journal when you’re feeling stressed or anxious, and look for a pattern. Panic Attacks and Anxiety Remember if you're struggling, talk to someone. Talk to a friend, family member, teacher or just anyone. once you start talking it gets easier Helplines

If you are struggling with grief you are not alone. Grief and coping with loss Losing someone you love can be one of the hardest things to deal with. Especially if you were close to that person. "Grief is a natural response to loss. It’s the emotional suffering you feel when something or someone you love is taken away. Often, the pain of loss can feel overwhelming. You may experience all kinds of difficult and unexpected emotions, from shock or anger to disbelief, guilt, and profound sadness. The pain of grief can also disrupt your physical health, making it difficult to sleep, eat, or even think straight. These are normal reactions to loss—and the more significant the loss, the more intense your grief will be." Grieving process There is no right or wrong way to grieve; it is a very personal process. How you grieve is determined by a wide range of things, such as your personality and coping mechanisms, your life experience, your religious beliefs, and the importance of the loss to you. The grieving process inevitably requires time. There is no "normal" timeframe for grieving; healing develops gradually and cannot be hastened or coerced. In weeks or months, some people start to feel better. For some it may take years. Whatever your level of pain, it's crucial to be kind to yourself and let things take their course. If you’ve experienced a loss, there are a number of things that will help you as you grieve: be gentle with yourself. Your energy may be low for a while so do not place too many demands on yourself. look after your physical health. You may find you’ve lost your appetite. However, it’s important that you eat healthily. Many people find eating small but frequent meals helpful. It’s also important to try to get some exercise; even a small walk each day can be beneficial. make sure you get enough rest and sleep. This will help you avoid becoming run down or physically ill. seek out support from others who are willing to listen. Talking is important because it helps you express what you’re feeling. Try to find one or two people with whom you can simply be yourself and who’ll allow you to talk when you need to. allow yourself to experience the feelings that come with bereavement, even if they’re difficult. It can be helpful to talk these over with someone you trust. This could be a family member, although it’s important to remember they are grieving too. Sometimes, talking to someone outside the family can be beneficial. don’t rush things. You’re trying to come to terms with a major upheaval in your life. Give yourself permission to take things a bit easier. In general, it’s best to put off making major decisions such as moving home or changing jobs for at least six months to a year. Physical and emotional symptoms of grief These are some of the physical symptoms of grief that you may experience: a hollow feeling in your stomach tightness, or heaviness, in your chest or throat oversensitivity to noise difficulty breathing feeling very tired and weak a lack of energy dry mouth an increase or decrease in appetite finding it hard to sleep or fear of sleeping aches and pains. Normal emotional reactions can include: Temporary loss of interest in things that used to bring joy Numbness, shock, sadness, despair, fear, guilt Decreased confidence and self-esteem Temporary increase in anxiety Sense of loss of control Changes in capacity and ability to deal with stress Less focus at work Changes in interpersonal relationships If your sadness, anxiety or depression persist for a period of time without relief, or if you experience significant impacts to your ability to function in the world, you may need to seek professional help. Things to be on the lookout for include: Inability to get out of bed Deep sense of hopelessness all the time Listlessness that does not go away Complete lack of joy in things that used to bring you great joy Suicidal thoughts Self-isolation Sleep disruption that does not get better over time Inability to work Ways to cope Coping with loss is something that's very hard to do. Its okay to be upset, shocked or many other things you may be feeling. Its okay to let yourself grieve, be patient with yourself. Talking to a professional about how you're feeling and getting tips off them can help greatly. Remember you're never alone and there's always someone there to listen 24/7. Resources Information on this page is from https://hospicefoundation.ie/i-need-help/i-am-bereaved/coping-with-loss/ https://www.betterup.com/blog/symptoms-of-grief https://www.helpguide.org/articles/grief/coping-with-grief-and-loss.htm

We provide information and resources for mental health and suicide. You can also message us on the online chat. You're never alone, we are here for you. Charlotte Mac Hei, mitt navn er Charlotte Mac og jeg er 16 fra Tipperary, Irland. Jeg laget denne nettsiden fordi jeg har slitt med min mentale helse i mange år og I vet hvordan det føles å være alene og hvordan det er når psykisk sykdom tar opp hele livet ditt. Jeg ønsker å gjøre en forskjell og hjelpe mennesker. Denne nettsiden er et trygt sted for alle. Det er grupper og informasjon om ressurser og tjenester for psykisk helse og hvis du eller noen du kjenner sliter finnes det informasjon for det også. Du kan også kontakte meg på e-post eller knappen "LETS CHAT". Du kan være deg selv her og du er så sterk og modig. -Elsker Charlotte xx