"Amazing people in local services"

As I write this I am incredibly hopeful that I am climbing the last peak of this current journey with my mental illness. One of the many things that has helped me through this incredibly difficult time has been to practice gratitude in the form of a gratitude diary. I was reading through it today and realised that there have been so many things that have helped me to recover this time around, but what struck me was how much of them have been local services - and more so, amazing people in local services. Reaching out when you are struggling with mental illness is the hardest thing as unfortunately for me the nature of the beast is that my illness tells me that I'm unworthy of help. But I did reach out and I am so thankful for all the help I have received.

I'm thankful firstly to my utterly amazing GP Dr Gemmill who has been with me every step of the way and who I trust with my life. Also Forsyth also at St Luke's in Carluke who has shown me so much compassion and understanding.

I'm thankful for the amazing service offered by Chris's House in Wishaw who provided me with instant access to crisis support and counselling. I continue to use their peer support services and therapies when I need them.

I'm grateful to Clydesdale Psychological Therapies team, in particular Tracy who has walked beside me on this journey and has helped me to truly rediscover who I am. For that I will be eternally grateful.

I am grateful for the attention my physical health has received from numerous people within the NHS including Dr Willocks, Sheila the Early Menopause specialist nurse at Hairmyers, Dr El-Nujumi and Karen at Clydesdale physiotherapy service. Never once have I been made to feel like my physical health problems have been ignored or blamed on my mental illness.

I'm grateful for Clydesdale Citizens Advice Bureau who helped me and Money Matters at South Lanarkshire Council.

I'm grateful for the help and support I received from A Crawley MP and her team.

I'm grateful for Haven of Hope (formerly Hope Cafe) where it really is ok to go and not be ok. Always someone with a listening ear, a cuddle and a cuppa.

And I'm grateful beyond words to all of my friends and family who have stood by me, with me, and on occasions - for me during this journey.

They say it takes a village to raise a child....I think it takes a village to rediscover yourself from the clutches of mental illness - and I am so grateful to have that village.

Thank you