Upbeat Lincoln Mental Health Awareness #UpbeatAwareness

I have not received monies or products for this post.

Upbeat Lincoln was formed many years ago by a group of volunteers. It is now run on a voluntary basis by wonderful people such as Ollie Applewhite and Robert Glenton and many others. Together they have created a safe haven for people with mental health disorders, a place where you can meet people who know exactly what it felt like for you to pluck up the courage to make it there today. It is incredible what they have achieved in such a short time and I know they will continue to create great things. Please visit their website for further information on their regular meet ups.

I was given the huge honour of been invited to speak at Upbeat Lincoln’s first ever Mental Health Awareness Event and it was incredible. If a little terrifying.

I am often ‘putting myself out there’ by writing blog posts and inviting the world to read my inner most thoughts, in those instances though I am safely hidden in my home and people are reading it after I’ve finished and given it my own approval.

This time I was standing on a stage with my thoughts surrounding mental health written down in front of me. My delivery needs some work and I must learn to memorise what I want to say so I’m not constantly referring to my sheets of paper. However, I’m going to give myself a break. This was my first time.

I was in the presence of some truly inspirational people. People who may have found it difficult to just get themselves out of bed that morning had come here today to find comfort and inspiration, maybe not realising that they had taken that first big step already.

We were given insights in to some amazing coping strategies for certain symptoms of mental health disorders, orchestrated by Robert Glenton. He showed us some ways to distract from stressful situations and keep you focused so you don’t feel flustered by what might be going on around you.

It was also a great privilege to meet Felicia Johnson, mental health advocate, speaker and author of ‘Her’ and ‘OK Danny Boy’. Felicia spoke so openly and with great honesty about her life experiences and it was very moving to see people who have quite obviously been inspired by her journey and her books.