Is Suicide a Choice? A Survivor’s Perspective

First of all: yes, of course it is a choice. BUT…and this is an important but…a non-suicidal person pointing this out to someone in acute crisis tends to come laden with judgement, whether implicit or explicit, intended or not. It often is: “Well, it’s your choice, so just decide” “It’s your choice, so why are…

Buy Me a Coffee

This is a strange one, but some people have been asking if there is any way to support me/The Doodle Chronicles. There is a scheme out there called ‘Buy Me a Coffee’ that someone recommended and this seems like a really nice way to offer support without me feeling awkward about accepting donations etc. Going…

A Gift From an Amazing Crisis Nurse

It’s a small gesture but in this situation means more than it seems and definitely more than she realises. 

Analogies to help understand emotional struggles

The Crisis Team Manager met with me today to start some safety management work and she came up with a great analogy for my current struggles to let myself feel anything with regards to my recent news, especially because I feel like a useless hypocrite for not feeling happy and not being even a little…

THE News

This is a weird one: the first time I’ve written a blog post knowing full well that multiple professionals involved in my care are now/have been reading my blog! So, to you folks: please make sure that you know that what I write here are all unfiltered thoughts, intended to be put out there with anonymity,…

Awareness Without Provision — thedoodlechroniclesblog

My contribution to #TimetoTalk day: A piece that I wrote for suicide prevention day that is equally applicable to this awareness day, about the desperate need to increase the provision of help/treatment/support available for mental health struggles, not just raise awareness. This week is suicide prevention week and there’s a lot of discussion and debate…

The Struggles of Mental Illness Don’t Stop Over the Holidays: Please be Gentle With Yourself and Others

If you need some extra help and support, please know that there is always somewhere to turn, even over the holidays. 

Please Don’t Suffer in Silence: Where to Turn for Support Over the Holidays

Infographic signposting the help available at this time of year when many people find themselves feeling more alone with their struggles. 
[I made it last year, so really should update it, but thought it was worth sharing in its current form (typos & all) just in case it can help someone]

A Thank You To My Care Coordinator

I just wanted to share a thank you card that I made and wrote for my care coordinator – highlighting the true value of dedicated and empathetic mental health workers such as her. Lives are not only changed, but saved by people like her every day.  I made this card for you and saw nothing…

It’s All About the Context in Mental Health Crisis

I was speaking to a wonderful crisis team nurse this evening, who spent 50 minutes talking to me in a state of heightened distress at the end of a working day that she had started 14 hours earlier; she provided me with all I could have hoped for over the phone. We started with how…

The Shining Stars in Mental Health

There truly are some heroes in mental health, and boy do they deserve more recognition and respect than they get. I cannot begin to describe the impact that just one truly truly caring, talented professional can have on someone who is struggling with their mental health, especially when in the depths of crisis.  I am…

Falling Apart at the Lightest Touch

One of the aspects of my mental ill health which I detest the most is my fragility. I fall apart – no, disintegrate – when even the smallest of things go awry. This morning went from off the charts anxiety, despair and suicidality to dissolving into non-functional panic when my psychologist phoned to let me…

Good News!

My care coordinator* will be back at work next week and will start seeing patients again from the following Wednesday! This is such amazing news. She has been the only thing anchoring me since she became my care co after I was discharged to this Trust following the PTSD-causing hellish admission in a different Trust.…

Healing Hugs

You know when you’re such a mess, in acute despair and so hopeless that you’re crumbling in front of your own eyes? Sometimes the only thing that helps is a good, proper healing hug from a close friend. One of those hugs that says “I love you…no matter what”. There is nothing quite like it…

Be Brave

Trying to persuade myself as much as I am you, here.

I believe you can do it, though. I know you’ve got the bravery within you – yes, you – to battle through whatever is troubling you. I know there is hope for you. Please keep fighting. Please know there’s help and support here for you if you need it.

Love, Molly xxx