Fighting mental illness *for everyone*
 

Hello, I was just thinking about some of the things that helped me, and I thought I'd share. When I had hallucinations and was in hospital my key nurse talked to me about (and this will sounds pathetic but it works) thinking or imagining I was Buffy the vampire slayer, because she fights monsters and goes through hell but survives, and I didn't think I could survive what I was going through.

Buffy's fictional, so that might not mean much to all of you, but what inspires you to keep going and fight your mental illness? Be it a person, a song, a picture? Let's share our inspirations to fight mental illness.

I was watching season one of buffy today to keep my sprits up! :-) so this thread seems very relevant! I totaly understand what you mean bout going thru hell and coming out the other side..she is (even tho fictional) a hero of mine!

(eeek i sound so weird)

I remind myself of a quote by a writer/philosopher named Ken Wilber, it is this
"In the dark and the deep there are truths that will always heal".
And what Jung said about how we don't grow by imagining streams of light, but by making the darkness conscious.

I did a meditation walk once, and what came to me were the words 'transformation through love.'

Then there's a dream I had once about white roses growing in cow dung.

What helps me is being aware that there is healing potential in awareness, and some of the most painful insights carry a poignant sadness that deepens my compassion, and my connection with myself and others.

My old CAMHS psychiatrist once told me "Don't say to yourself - right I'm never gonna self harm again - but tell yourself - I'm gonna go the longest I can withought self harming -" and that's stayed with me whenever I think about self harming and it helps me to stop and think. He was such a nice guy and I miss talking to him... xx

I find drawing/writing down a good thing everyday in a little notebook I have. No matter how small it is - whether it be a stranger smiling in the street - I write one good thing. It means when I feel myself sinking I go back and read all of the good things :)
x

Aw this is such a loverly thread. :)
x

I'm really greatful for this thread, I think it's truly great!
My brothers keep me going a lot of the time, and my niece Megan & God-Daughter Phoebe.
When I watch a beautiful sunset that really inspires me.

Yo, I love Buffy.

But I pretend I'm Rocky.

Great thread :-)

I try to hold on for my brother, and the fact that no one knows what is around the corner. Every step that I take is one closer to recovery.

My cousins: Innes, Louis and Jonah. Innes and Louis are twins and Jonah is their older brother by 2 years. I love these boys with all of my heart and soul. They bring me happiness in my darkest of times and they love me unconditionally. After my uncle commited suicide when I was younger, I became determined to never do that to my cousins. So I fight it all for them.

This is a brilliant thread.
Xxx--