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.

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 .

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.