An update to my post on depression

I know I've already posted tonight but I really wanted to write an update to my depression post last week.

I have been having a really hard time in the last couple of weeks, first with stress and anxiety and now feeling depressed and being unwell with some sort of virus. Work has been hard for various reasons, I've had to take my cat to the vet, we have a problem with the hot water at home, my daughter has a virus causing a full body rash, she's wet the bed every night...the list goes on. Shit happens in life, and it happens to all of us.

When I wrote my last post on depression I didn't really think about who would read it or what your actions would be. All I wanted to do was give some insight into what being depressed looks like. That's its not always the sterotype image of someone clutching their head in their hands and crying. I know I have friends out there who also stuggle, and one of my motivations is to make sure they know they are not alone. That no matter how together someone might look from the outside, we all have our own challenges.

I also find it incredibly hard to ask anyone for anything. One of the things that always gets said when there is general talk in the media or on social media about New Zealand's terrible suicide rate (we are world number 1 for youth suicide - 16 young people per 100,000 die by suicide every year), is that we should make sure people know they can ask for help. Yes, by all means make sure they know there is help available, but making that leap to asking for it is something that I am only just begining to learn how to do, and I'm nearly 20 years older than some of those teens going through this.

I don't know what the answer is, all I know is that I am grateful for the wonderful friends and family I have. Friends like Mrs W, who came over with lunch on Monday bearing a box of food, fruit and eggs so it wouldn't matter if I couldn't go to the supermarket. Or like the people who messaged me and asked how I was, and S who invited me on a bike ride. And my amazing Mum who delivered 3 meals worth of soup, plus scones and french bread for me. My Mum and my sister helped me do dishes and sort/fold/put away washing, my Mum tidied Little G's room and my Dad cooked me dinner. One of Little G's friend's Mums has looked after her for me. I didn't expect the help and support I received but I am incredibly grateful to all of you for your thoughtfulness.

Thank you, thank you, arohanui (much love)