Dennis Gillan’s Post

Mental health is just as important as physical health. I want to begin by affirming these messages: ⇾ YOU matter ⇾ The world is lucky to have you here. ⇾ You are worthy of love and support, no matter how broken you may feel. I have been taking antidepressants for four years after being diagnosed with depression and anxiety in 2020. Last summer, even amongst all the good things happening and exciting adventures I was experiencing, I still entered a dark place and didn’t think things were going to get better. I’m so thankful for the people in my life for loving and supporting me unconditionally who helped me transition out of those dark moments. My dad died by suicide in 2015, my uncle in 2020, and I lost a friend this past weekend. It’s okay to not have good days/weeks/months. It’s okay to feel your pain and take the time to grieve. It’s okay not to be okay. I know LinkedIn is normally for professional development, posts about individual/company achievements, and job opportunities, but I think talking about one’s passions, personal struggles, and real experiences, good and bad, is just as important. My passions for mental health and suicide prevention are what drives my professional interests and purpose. Thank you to Skyler Basco 🎀 and Linda Le🌻ིྀ for being vulnerable on this platform and sharing your stories and mental health struggles. I’m hopeful that the conversation around mental health is shifting in a positive direction and that we can reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness and suicide each day. I want my page to be a safe space for diverse conversations and community support. My messages are always open, for mental health conversations to social impact, and anything else. _______________ The biggest thing I’ve learned surrounding mental health is you can’t pour from an empty glass, and you can’t show up for others fully if you don’t take care of yourself first. If you take anything away from this post, it’s that asking for help is a strength, not a weakness, and that there are so many people that care about you💛 YOU matter. #thursdaythoughtswithkimberly #mentalhealthawareness #suicideprevention #youmatter #youarenotalone

I remember the time someone said to me, 'You don't look like someone with a mental illness; I would have never guessed you had one.' I didn't know if I should take it personally or how to feel about it afterward. I just know it made me feel something. To change future generations, we have to stop thinking people are supposed to 'look' a certain way to have a mental illness. When we look at celebrities and even people I've known to die by suicide, they did not exhibit signs of a mental illness until it was too late. My ask to you is simple: be kind. Kindness costs nothing. It's free. Your words and actions hold immense power. People may not always show how deeply they're affected because societal norms, especially for men, dictate toughness and emotional restraint. If we start changing the narrative, so many different things in life will start changing. People will be more willing to open up about what their hearts are feeling. They will be okay with seeking help as needed. They will be okay with letting that tear fall down their cheek because nobody will start judging them for expressing what's really going on. Finally, just maybe, people won't have the need to self-medicate through different unhealthy coping mechanisms to stop the pain. Just maybe, if we allow people to feel the way they need to feel, our world would be a much better place. Because people are right, I don't look like I have depression, anxiety, or PTSD, but I do. The picture below is an example - earlier that day, before that beautiful, joyful, silly picture with my daughter, I had a tough therapy session. I cried non-stop because sounds and memories triggered my PTSD. If you saw this picture, you would think everything was fine. But in reality, earlier that day, I felt like I was in danger, reliving a moment I couldn’t escape, and it was terrifying. Let's start to Break the Stigma. #mentalhealthawarenessmonth #breakthestigma

Have you ever asked someone if they are feeling suicidal? Do you know how to respond? Have you left space for someone to speak about how they really feel? We often speak about mental health and wellbeing, but do we really know how to have those life-changing conversations before it gets to suicide? Suicide is the hardest thing to rationalise. When my uncle ended his life in lockdown, it hit our family like a sucker punch. We knew he had bouts of low mood and depression, but he also presented as the ‘life and soul of the party’. We were left with so many why’s, if only and what ifs’s! Although, I was able to reflect back on my feelings of helplessness when I was suicidal over 20 years ago. I understood, he must have been living under the darkest cloud without believing there was a way out. I am proof there is an alternative, it’s tough and it’s scary; but the tide does change. Life can be very beautiful. I wish he had known or believed this! Dont wait until it’s too late to offer support to others. Really make connections and save space to hear the answer if some shares they are struggling. Suicide does not discriminate, and when it happens to someone you know, it can catch you unaware and blindside you. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Mental health first aid is not a fix-all nor is it therapy, but it can open up conversations, remove the shame and stigma of struggles, and change hearts and minds. Let’s all learn how to have those life-changing conversations and support each other in times of need. Remember, it’s okay to not be okay, and it’s okay to ask for help. #mentalhealthawareness #suicideprevention #itsokaynottobeokay Image taken from the it’s ok Campaign. @itsok_campaign @mindcharity @fightthroughmentalhealth

I wholeheartedly agree with this as it was 10 years between when I knew my behavior was volatile and a mental breakdown that ultimately led to diagnoses that now shape my path to optimal mental health. Thank you for sharing your story, Pascale Royal, which resonates and encourages me. Also, DO NOT MISS, two important elements in Pascale's story: 1) The whole-person medical coverage provided is what drastically changed the outcome. 2) It took multiple therapy appointments to begin making progress; remember this the next time you try counseling and want to give up. Give it a chance or try a new therapist, but remember healing takes time. #MentalHealth #MentalHealthAwareness #Healthcare

525,000 a year.   10,000 a week.   1,400 every day. These are the numbers of men who commit suicide. Happy Men's Mental Health Month. 🧠 It's shocking how many people don’t realize this month is dedicated to celebrating and acknowledging the need for more awareness around men's mental health. As young men, we carry a lot of pressure. There are so many eyes on us, expecting us to succeed and provide. But at the end of the day, we’re left with our own emotions and thoughts. You don’t have to be Superman every day. You don’t need to be Spider-Man, swinging around saving the city. It’s okay to feel things. It’s okay to be vulnerable - but staying weak isn’t an option! We’re the leaders of the next generation. It’s on us to show others that they can succeed and see the brighter side of life. But at the end of the day, who’s there for us? I’ll tell you who: we’re here for each other. If you need to talk to someone, don’t feel embarrassed. Cry on a friend's shoulder. Reach out to someone for help. You’ve thought yourself out of happiness a million times but never once into it. Take care of yourselves and each other. 💪

A few months ago, one of my high school friends completed suicide. It was a shock to us all, from those who knew her when she was young and those who knew her today. She had a husband, a young daughter, and love and adoration from everyone around her. At least, that’s what many of us saw, and knew. She saw something different. Something so burdensome to her that she chose to interrupt and end her life. I can’t help but reflect on how her actions have changed the trajectory of her surviving family’s lives and mental health. She is gone, but they are still here, feeling the pain, missing her, and wishing she was with them. It makes my heart heavy. When suicide has an impact on our lives, we always think about how we could have stopped it. Could I have reached out one more time? Should I have called her, or stopped by, or texted just to check in? As natural as those thoughts are, the reality is that a person’s mental health is not always visible. Its commonly hidden from view, masked by smiles and laughter. Even if you’re paying attention, you’ll never know what is going through someone’s head behind their visage. And sharing this story, I only wish that the hope provided by the #988lifeline can help others to change their trajectories and think about what a life continued will mean, not just for themselves, but for those who love them. If you or a loved one is experiencing a mental health crisis, or you just want someone to talk to: call, chat, or text 988. You are not alone. In the last year, more than 5.5 million calls, chats and texts were answered by 988, helping to save lives, and helping to shape the trajectory of mental health support for all of us. #BeThe1To tell someone that its ok to ask for help. It could make all the difference. #suicidepreventionawareness #suicideprevention #suicide #mentalhealth #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealthishealth

**TW: Suicidal Ideation** Take this statistic and triple it. That's about how long it took me to identify my need for help and find the right treatment options for what I now know is major #chronicdepression. Looking back, I'd say my mental illness symptoms started in childhood. Outwardly, I was an active, socially popular kid. But inside, I struggled with recurring nightmares of death and a fixation on ending my life. I didn't know how to articulate it back then. I knew something was very wrong with me, but I was way too ashamed to say anything about it. I cannot remember a time when I didn't think about suicide. It wasn't until my early 30s that I landed at a company with incredible medical benefits, including therapy, and I decided to give it a try. I remember lying to my therapist for the first several appointments because I couldn't bring myself to truly share the chaos that was in my mind. Fast forward to today. I've received life-saving care, am compliant with my medication and therapy-based treatment, and am thriving. I've been open about my journey because I'm afraid that if I'm not truthful, if I don't let those around me know that there are signs they can look out for in me, I may fall back. The darkness is ever-present, just not as pervasive. If you or someone you know is struggling, please know that you are not alone. In the US, you can call the #NAMI hotline at 800-950-6264, text “helpline” to 62640, or chat online. In a crisis, call or text 988. (May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Since its inception in 1949, Mental Health Awareness Month has been a cornerstone of addressing the challenges faced by millions of Americans living with #mentalhealth conditions. Throughout the month, The NAMI actively participates in this national movement, dedicated to eradicating stigma, extending support, fostering public education and advocating for policies that prioritize the well-being of individuals and families affected by mental illness.) #TakeAMentalHealthMoment #MondayMotivation #betheone #mentalhealthishealth

The Importance of Listening: Supporting Those in Distress When someone is in distress and needs help, they often reach out to people, crying out for assistance and for their voices to be heard. Unfortunately, there are times when no one is willing to listen or reach out to them. When they become fed up and, tragically, takes their own life , people often blame them for taking their life. It's crucial to recognize that checking on your friends and loved ones can make a significant difference. Many people are struggling with depression, and they need our support. Here’s why it’s essential to listen and help: 1. Understanding the Silent Struggle: Many individuals battling depression suffer in silence. They may not always express their pain openly, but they need someone to notice and reach out. 2. The Power of Listening: Simply listening to someone’s story can be incredibly powerful. It shows them that they are not alone and that their feelings are valid. Sometimes, just being heard can make a huge difference. 3. Offering Support: Support can come in many forms—offering a kind word, providing practical help, or just being there for someone. Small gestures of kindness can have a profound impact on someone's mental health. 4. Breaking the Stigma: There’s still a lot of stigma surrounding mental health, which can prevent people from seeking help. By being open and supportive, we can help break down these barriers and encourage more people to speak out about their struggles. 5. Recognizing Vulnerability: Not everyone has a hardened heart or the resilience to survive depression on their own. Acknowledging this vulnerability is crucial in providing the empathy and support they need. 6. Preventing Tragedy: By checking in on our friends and loved ones regularly, we can help prevent tragedies. Recognizing the signs of distress early and offering support can make a life-saving difference. Let’s commit to being more attentive, empathetic, and proactive in supporting those around us. Everyone’s life is valuable, and showing that we care can help someone find the strength to keep going. How do you support your friends and loved ones in their times of need? Share your thoughts and experiences below! #MentalHealth #Support #Empathy #DepressionAwareness #ListenAndHelp #PreventSuicide #CheckIn

Today marks the start of Men's Mental Health Week. As I'm writing this I know some of you will be struggling with your mental health. Many campaigns focus on speaking up and sharing. Men historically find it harder to share their feelings and talk when they are struggling. In my experience in the right environment we do share and speak but finding a safe space is not always easy; what do we mean by a safe space - for me, it's about a place where you'll be listened to, supported and not judged. For me that safe space was #ANDYSMANCLUB#ANDYSMANCLUB#ANDYSMANCLUB tonight at 7.00pm in locations across the UK AMC gives that safe space, support and a group of men that will listen, support and never judge. In my role with Suicide Prevention Scotland, I advocate for men's voices to be heard. As someone whose life has been impacted by suicide, I know just how the ripple effects keep going way beyond the action itself. If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of self-harm there are places you can go and support out there. In the UK call 116 123 for the Samaritans or call 999 if it's an immediate crisis. https://lnkd.in/eEe4btJp meets every Monday evening - you'll find a location nearby. The world is a difficult place to live right now and pressures are larger than ever before. But help is at hand, if you do one thing this week then speak to another man, a colleague, a friend or a casual acquaintance. Sheryl Sandberg tells a story about when she was grieving the death of her husband and how the question 'how are you' was difficult to answer instead she encouraged the phrase 'How are you TODAY'. She says the slightly altered question implies: "I get it. You are going through something hard, and you are living day to day." "And it's a much kinder question," she said. So this week let's all try and ask one man 'How are you today?' It might just save a life or help one person feel like the world isn't such a dark place. #menshealthweek SAMH Samaritans

🌟 Today marks the beginning of Mental Health Awareness Week; for me, it's a moment of firsts. It's the first time I'm openly addressing a trauma that fundamentally altered the course of my life.  It's about navigating life as a survivor of the suicide of someone close to me. This isn't just my story—it's a narrative of resilience amidst loss. Survivorship isn't a choice, it's a reality thrust upon us. Facing the aftermath is a journey I never anticipated. Through the darkness, I unearthed strengths I had never known existed in me. It's taken time, therapy, and relentless self-work to grasp that I'll always carry the weight of survival. Here's the truth: there's no "getting over it" or "moving on." Instead, I've learned to walk alongside it, acknowledging that it's a part of my story, my baggage. Surviving suicide isn't a solitary battle. It ripples through families, friends, and communities, leaving lasting scars. The stigma surrounding it only adds to the burden, fueling a cycle of shame and blame. But here's the truth: we, the survivors, are resilient. We've unearthed strength and resilience we never knew existed within us. Let's break the silence. Let's acknowledge the profound impact suicide has on those left behind. By sharing our stories, we dismantle the stigma and offer hope to others navigating similar paths. Together, we can create a more compassionate and understanding world. #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek #SurvivorVoices 💙