tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557581004429673027.post1340408107486638130..comments2023-06-28T04:45:24.254-07:00Comments on It's okay not to be okay: So here goes nothing....Gar Machttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580836245925331105noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557581004429673027.post-69882898902227413492014-01-11T02:21:29.209-08:002014-01-11T02:21:29.209-08:00I read this in the Huffpost Lifestyle section and ...I read this in the Huffpost Lifestyle section and want to applaud you for your bravery. I have one thing I wanted to share...read Paulo Coelho's Veronika Decides to die. Its so amazing that it made me want to try and connect people to each other and most importantly to themselves :)Hurakushahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04087655794661885485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557581004429673027.post-25473754937557230222014-01-11T01:28:03.862-08:002014-01-11T01:28:03.862-08:00I know its not over, but keep fighting the good fi...I know its not over, but keep fighting the good fight :-)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04695390467343671426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557581004429673027.post-46401061698760838542014-01-11T01:24:58.296-08:002014-01-11T01:24:58.296-08:00Im glad you fought this ... I see it a lot in my l...Im glad you fought this ... I see it a lot in my line of work and see the sadness. Please be kind to yourself xAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04695390467343671426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557581004429673027.post-83897628298280524812014-01-11T01:10:17.604-08:002014-01-11T01:10:17.604-08:00I wasn't okay for 12 years. Everyday was a a ...I wasn't okay for 12 years. Everyday was a a firefight with the negative voice in my own head. A fight that the voice would win daily. I had something called Pure Hypnotherapy over the summer. (2013) Hypnotherapy, CBT techniques and reading books to understand my own head has changed my life. The Pure Hypnotherapy was the catalyst into good mental health. It may have saved me. My head is no longer a battleground. Just saying. Best wishes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557581004429673027.post-86501812089335203052014-01-10T18:27:43.928-08:002014-01-10T18:27:43.928-08:00I'm from Athy, my aunt and cousins are in Dun ...I'm from Athy, my aunt and cousins are in Dun Laoghaire. I grew up with a bipolar father who nobody would admit (least of all himself) was ill. He still didn't when I last broached the subject ten odd years ago. <br />I have Borderline Personality Disorder and fought against suffocation by the black dog for almost 15 years before I was diagnosed. I've been sewn up in A&E and unconscious in an ambulance. But not for a long time now. Now I'm married with three kids living in Canada, oh - and I just got an ipad ;-) You can find me blogging at expatlog.com.<br />Suicide still knocks at the door, but knowing I couldn't do that to my kids, however worthless I might be, stops it stepping over the threshold.<br /> <br />Mindfulness has been a huge help to me (I'm not on any medication or under any treatment - I finished my therapy (CBT) eight years ago). <br /><br />There is hope - you and I are proof of that. Stay strong and stay with us.Aisha from expatloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07253550935664548586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557581004429673027.post-6759712869210908832014-01-09T15:03:38.512-08:002014-01-09T15:03:38.512-08:00http://cooncash.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/2013.html W...http://cooncash.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/2013.html Wrote this a month or two past. Your blog has me reading over some of my own. I am trying to harness the belief that life is great even when it doesn't feel that way sometimes. Anyway, I have had a major slip since writing this one but I am slowly finding my way back to this positive attitude. Do it for yourselfCiaran Cooneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08583456872634451512noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557581004429673027.post-75793592569531009892014-01-09T13:54:27.050-08:002014-01-09T13:54:27.050-08:00Raw and amazing. Here. I run a yoga studio in Ston...Raw and amazing. Here. I run a yoga studio in Stoneybatter. On the other side of the city. Come and have a class gratis on me. A bit of meditation. To empty your mind. It can feel blissful to stop rancid thoughts. I found it to be an amazing tool to help when life just gets unbearably shit. It's called The elbowroom. Ask for Lisa. It saved me many moons ago.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11689646686879549190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557581004429673027.post-52962815021005171552014-01-09T12:45:53.612-08:002014-01-09T12:45:53.612-08:00I think that's a little unfair on Donal Walsh....I think that's a little unfair on Donal Walsh. That was not the message he gave.Tommy Roddy http://www.thomasroddy.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16333412912029159457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557581004429673027.post-56357664719163776582014-01-09T09:58:42.290-08:002014-01-09T09:58:42.290-08:00fair balls - and i strongly recommend giving up th...fair balls - and i strongly recommend giving up the drink permanently, it'll never be your friendeirecorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01741389592137737004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557581004429673027.post-89914116033734576682014-01-09T06:11:17.830-08:002014-01-09T06:11:17.830-08:00Fair play Gar, great article. Suicide is a huge pr...Fair play Gar, great article. Suicide is a huge problem in Ireland and the more people that speak out the betterAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14698956645071694947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557581004429673027.post-55327479769080921512014-01-09T03:55:49.012-08:002014-01-09T03:55:49.012-08:00What an incredible piece, written with such honest...What an incredible piece, written with such honesty. I think its this type of honesty and openess that will make a difference to all of those suffering mental torment. I just visited a friend yesterday whose daughter died by suicde. What absolute devastation and raw grief for a family!Gareth,well done to you! Keep talking andwriting (what a lovely writer you are) every good wish for the future. Always remember that you are precious x<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07664811807656280314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557581004429673027.post-82581290051115345712014-01-09T02:18:52.932-08:002014-01-09T02:18:52.932-08:00Trying again - I posted once but it vanished into ...Trying again - I posted once but it vanished into the ether. Anyway, keep writing, keep writing, and then write some more. It's helped me so much over the years, and following a stint in the psych unit of UHG (5 weeks earlier this year) I started blogging about it (http://sunnyspellsandscatteredshowers.blogspot.ie/) It has been the single most powerful thing I've been able to do for myself.<br />I completely understand your frustration around the Donal Walsh interview - suicidal ideation is not a choice, you can't just switch it off. The guilt we already feel for thinking such things is only compounded by hearing how selfish it is. He got people talking which is fantastic, now people need to understand the reality of mental illness as well. <br />I'm glad that you have such support around you and I hope that you find your way out of this soon. Look after yourself.Sunnyscatteredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16830532495678552230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557581004429673027.post-66794754628178429542014-01-09T02:09:46.750-08:002014-01-09T02:09:46.750-08:00Inspiring and I hope you keep fighting that "...Inspiring and I hope you keep fighting that "prick in your head"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557581004429673027.post-76050044129734735812014-01-08T20:01:17.544-08:002014-01-08T20:01:17.544-08:00Very brave. Thank you.Very brave. Thank you.Euphemehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08323313939114827331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557581004429673027.post-71142175677941211762014-01-08T16:21:15.082-08:002014-01-08T16:21:15.082-08:00I've lived that poem more than once. Amazing h...I've lived that poem more than once. Amazing how many planks in reason can break yet you can still somehow scramble back to sanity with a lot of time, counselling, meditation, medication & support from family & friends.Steiner62https://www.blogger.com/profile/09315811384355344395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557581004429673027.post-79536970033275460322014-01-08T16:17:23.322-08:002014-01-08T16:17:23.322-08:00I understand. I was locked in Joseph's in &quo...I understand. I was locked in Joseph's in "The God's" (for my own safety I now realise) for a month in February 2011. Had been back in early 1994 too but it was much worse this time. Mad as a March Hare (Psychotic Deprtession). Though at the time all my literally insane thought processes made perfect sense to me, if only my friends who visited realised that I was in a Parrellel Universe etc etc.I don't have the balls to do what you just did. Well maybe I have grown a small pair now here thanks to you! Keep going. we need fluent speakers like you Garreth to shine a light on this Darkness. Have you discovered www.blackdogtribe.com yet? it's worth a look. Stay Well my Brother In Arms...<br /><br />Respect<br />DesSteiner62https://www.blogger.com/profile/09315811384355344395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557581004429673027.post-19290495195926301892014-01-08T15:04:52.375-08:002014-01-08T15:04:52.375-08:00Your honesty and courage is an inspiration to ever...Your honesty and courage is an inspiration to everyone I hopeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557581004429673027.post-30733270718791807342014-01-08T14:54:06.032-08:002014-01-08T14:54:06.032-08:00Respect. Best wishes for another recovery, very a...Respect. Best wishes for another recovery, very articulate, you have many reasons to be proud. Hope that feeling returns soon xAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01876335632471773994noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557581004429673027.post-14731334120310605732014-01-08T14:45:09.038-08:002014-01-08T14:45:09.038-08:00Respect. Best wishes for another recovery, very a...Respect. Best wishes for another recovery, very articulate, you have many reasons to be proud. Hope that feeling returns soon xAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01876335632471773994noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557581004429673027.post-30079917023762053592014-01-08T12:52:33.965-08:002014-01-08T12:52:33.965-08:00"It's okay not to be okay" can I ste..."It's okay not to be okay" can I steal that? So cleverly written, pinpointing what is so hard to say and express to others, to gain their understanding when they have no way of knowing the pain. In a very selfish way this piece comforted me because it tells me other people can fall for no apparent reason, I thought I was the only one who had no reason, no right to but yeah I guess it just comes down to being very ill. Take care, stay strong, that's the hardest, being strong when you just want to give up.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18171668857712973189noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557581004429673027.post-12358421409650241692014-01-08T10:27:47.011-08:002014-01-08T10:27:47.011-08:00That was both an excellent piece of writing and a ...That was both an excellent piece of writing and a wonderfully courageous act. The stigma surrounding depression is abhorrent, and every person that shares their experiences with it is a step forward. If Garreth's story strikes a chord, don't feel you have to knuckle under day after day until you've forgotten what it's like to actually feel happy. Helplessness and despair is something that creeps over you very gradually, until you feel that nothing you or anybody else can do will change things. It's most definitely OK not to be ok. Take that day off work, and go talk to your doctor. <br /><br />Damian McCourthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11928223355009176850noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557581004429673027.post-7892269112634810262014-01-08T05:07:15.927-08:002014-01-08T05:07:15.927-08:00Great article Gar- It shows greath strength to be ...Great article Gar- It shows greath strength to be able to talk about it- and hopefully it will help others in the future- Aodhán Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03068590150137001340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557581004429673027.post-87355216957898566222014-01-08T04:42:54.280-08:002014-01-08T04:42:54.280-08:00I work for a charity supporting people who are vul...I work for a charity supporting people who are vulnerable to homelessness for a variety of reasons - including their mental health.<br />We'd like to share your candid insight and statement that 'it's ok not to be ok' via our Facebook page.<br />Thank you for the courage you've shown in writing and publishing this article.<br /><br />You're right, it is OK not to be ok.<br />There's hope.<br />DeeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557581004429673027.post-24073497143105112662014-01-08T03:19:49.009-08:002014-01-08T03:19:49.009-08:00MArianne Wilkinson 'a return to love'
Int...MArianne Wilkinson 'a return to love'<br /><br />Interesting world view. We are all connected.<br /><br />Thanks for your honesty it's refreshing and beautiful to hear.<br /><br />Take care<br />AAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00082348784709222255noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557581004429673027.post-53609972900767401082014-01-08T00:41:53.005-08:002014-01-08T00:41:53.005-08:00Reading this really moved me. Thanks for helping ...Reading this really moved me. Thanks for helping me to better understand what it feels like to be in this situation and to know there is hope. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15567658273956960740noreply@blogger.com