It’s ok to not be ok…
Yes, we know it’s a phrase that’s frequently used now, but we’ve been saying it for years. But how often do you think you need to be ok, because you’re ‘the parent’? How often do you feel you can’t not be ok, because if you’re not, who will be?
We hear you! And we know that juggling your emotions and expectations as well as practical stuff around treatment and school and work mean there’s often no space to explore how you really feel. Whatever level of poor mental health you’re dealing with in your child, it’s not a straightforward situation. Yes, there are clear facts, but they’re tempered by layers of judgement and stress and fear and guilt…
We believe it’s SO important to give yourself the permission to acknowledge you’re not coping or that you might need some help to make sense of this new and challenging situation. It’s not only ok to ask for help and support when you’re not ok, it’s a positive action! It’s strong and brave and something we should be applauding. ( We are clapping here!)
So if you feel that you can’t continue to carry the weight of worry and you need someone to help you make sense of it, maybe it’s time to get some support. That might be in the form of a professional counsellor or therapist, or a chat with a PMH Peer Mentor, or by joining a Listening Circle.
Or maybe it’s by being heard – sharing your frustrations in a ranty email (that you might choose not to send!) telling your family how they can help or lowering your expectations of yourself – there’s nothing wrong with a PJ day or week. If it helps you get through this time, we firmly advocate it.
And while you’re lowering those expectations, why not put down your judgement. You’re doing the best you can. And that’s good enough. (It really is!)