Mental health. 

As welfare officer of a Students' Union, I've been on training, run campaigns, given out lots of leaflets and I've also chatted and listened to lots of different students who have come to talk to me about their mental health. 

It's really important that we talk about it. Unfortunately, there's still a lot of stigma around discussing how you're feeling or coping. A lot of the time we don't tell anyone, worried that we'll be judged, seen as a 'freak' or even sacked from your job.

As well as that, we don't know what to say to people when they do talk about their mental health! It's awkward, you're worried you'll say the wrong thing, and usually end up saying nothing at all - which sometimes can be worse.

That's why I thought it would be a good idea for me to tell you all - I live with (sometimes quite severe) anxiety. 

For as long as I can remember I've struggled to cope with anxiety. You might not think of it to look at me - I do lots of public speaking, I run for elections and appear pretty confident. 

This is me on a good day - and if I'm not too stressed, most days are good days. But on a bad day, I get so irationally anxious that I have to go and hide - literally - until I feel safe again. I usually also have a panic attack, or at the least a sobbing fit. 

This can happen anywhere - in my own house, a train station, the middle of a conference or on the way to a meeting... it doesn't seem to matter. Last weekend I was too scared to go into my own living room, so for 5 hours I hid in my room until everyone had left.  

I have finally learnt that I need to take a step back and look after myself, not only to avoid certain situations that set me off, but also to work out ways in which I can deal with them better!

Last night, I stood up in the Student Forum and told everyone about it, and I also told everyone on my personal facebook and twitter. The response I had was so lovely and supportive - and lots of people have already started to talk to me about their own experiences, which is really powerful. 

Everyone has a mental health, and everyone needs to be kind to themselves. I've written this hoping that it will help others feel they can talk about mental health - either about how you are feeling, or to have the courage to ask someone else if they're ok.#

Time to Change Wales have some excellent information on mental health and how to talk about mental health - check them out!

Also - I am going to be doing a skydive in May to raise money for Mind - please donate if you can!