At the end of Nightline Awareness Week we are looking to the future, and what we want it to look like.
We all have aspirations for the future. Some of us aspire towards certain jobs; some want to see a greener world; and some of us just want to perfect the perfect Spaghetti Bolognese for dinner. Everyone’s aspirations are different, but all of them have value.
So, what world would I like to see? Whilst perfecting my mum’s spag bol recipe is pretty high up my list of aspirations for the future, there are a few other things I would like to see happen too:
I want to see a world in which mental health is judged on par with the physical.
A world in which it’s okay to put your aspirations on hold or to take a break from them to benefit your wellbeing.
A world in which self-help and therapy are not seen as a weakness, but as an admirable show of self-awareness and inner strength.
A world in which services such as Nightline are no longer in such high demand because people are able to access the help they need before they reach breaking point.
If you’re reading this blog, then you are probably either associated with Nightline or you have an interest in issues surrounding mental health. As such, this world I paint a picture of may not seem like wishful thinking but simple, common values that we all share, right? But we must recognise the unfortunate reality that those holding these views are still by no means a dominant portion of our society.
Therefore, this world is only possible if we continue to work together breaking down stigmas surrounding mental health and learning every day how to be more compassionate both to one another and to ourselves. That is why services such as Nightline are so important in creating the world I want to see. As a group of volunteers, we personify openness and caring and in doing so create a safe space in which mental health can be freely discussed without fear of judgement. We help students on a daily basis realise their hopes and fears for the future and that is an incredible thing. But there is still more that needs to be done. If we want to make the world we want to see into a reality we must reach out beyond the comfortable boundaries of communities such as Nightline. So, share this blog with friends, check in on those you would never guess weren’t coping and continue to disseminate our Nightline values as widely through society as possible.
Now I don’t want you to just have read this and think it’s a nice little blog post but move on with your day without giving it a second thought. Instead, before you leave, I want you to do one thing for me. I want you to close your eyes and imagine the world you want to see. Take thirty seconds to sit with your breathing and let your imagination free. What did you think of? What path are you going to take to get there? Whether its adding a new ingredient to a pasta dish, checking if a friend is doing okay or applying for work experience in your future career field the world we all want to see will not become a reality unless we commit and act. We believe in all you wonderful people, and cannot wait to see the futures you all create!
Written by Grace Hart
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