From a young age I used to write books (written in A4 pukka pads of course) with my personal favourite being ‘The funny face family’. Not to mention, when I finished school, English literature and language was my strongest GCSE result. Additionally, as I got older, I started using poetry and journaling as an escape from my thoughts and feelings. But… the poetry writing became obsessive. Books and books full.

The writer, herself.

Like any of us, I hated school. Subsequently, I had no idea what direction I was going in. When I left school - in the first lockdown of 2020 - I started studying Health & Social care and psychology as the dream has been to get into mental health work. However, to this day I am a domiciliary care worker… so what got me into writing?

At 8 years old, I was diagnosed with an eating disorder which I still battle with to this day. By 15 I was diagnosed with Clinical depression and generalised anxiety disorder. To 17, where my therapist advised me to look into getting a diagnosis of Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (More commonly known as Borderline Personality Disorder.) At 20 years of age, I lost a close friend to suicide. And today? Well, I’m still harbouring on with therapy and medication with endometriosis and adenomyosis on the side. Also, doing some blogging via substack @aaliyahstart .

A spiral-bound notebook with handwritten text on lined paper resting on a soft, shiny surface. The text describes feelings of sadness and isolation, comparing emotional pain to being at sea alone.

So, unfortunately I am not quite a mental health paramedic but I do have varied understanding. And I will not be staying quiet. Mental Health is important. Just as much as physical health. I can say this, but have I done my piece?

I have completed online courses - one being ‘Supporting others to stay positive, by managing your own responses.’ and I have contributed to signing petitions for mental health through Mind UK to make governmental change and filling out surveys for them such as their ‘Mental Health in the age of AI’ for research purposes. When charity shop - shopping, I shop in Mind UK too and make the odd donation here and there online. Despite not being wealthy, I practice what I preach and am dreaming to help even just one person in my own way now. Being via my writing.

Although I can not heal you and make your problems disappear, I have created a tiny spec in the internet, blog and book universe to help you to feel less alone, heard and hopefully understood.

A hand-held mirror with a quote that reads "Optimism isn't as great as Hindsight" is placed on a textured gray rug. Next to it, an open book displays the poetic poem "Reflecting."
A young woman with long dark hair and a nose piercing, eyes closed, reading a booklet titled 'Mental health helplines' in a cozy indoor setting.
A pink spiral notebook with handwritten text that says 'Funny face family!' and cartoon sketches of a smiling face and a happy face, placed on a wooden surface. Part of a torn paper with a drawing of a face is visible on the left side.

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Please note: I am not certified in giving any trained mental health advice. Please do not contact me regarding this. If you need someone to talk to, I highly recommend seeking genuine, emergency, science backed help and support. Please call your doctors, mental health charities, mental health helplines or someone close to you. You’re more than welcome to contact me via Instagram for questions but I have no response time guarantee and I am not trained in mental health.