Why not me? By Jane McNeice
Life has always felt incredibly difficult. I have often felt like an observer rather than a participant in this world, and that things were more challenging for me than for others. Despite this sense of knowing, I spent years de-validating my pain, chastising myself into an acceptance that everyone has challenging lives and my life was nothing special or worthy of more support than the next. On 22nd June 2021 at age 45 I learned that my experiences and feelings had been valid, and my life had...
Read More1 in 3 18-24-Year-Olds in the UK Regularly Experiencing Loneliness
A third of 18-24-year-olds are regularly experiencing loneliness*1 according to a new YouGov poll from Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) The data reveals that over half (52%) of UK adults are facing some form of loneliness2, with the figure rising to 7 in 10 (72%) for 18-24-year-olds3 CALM has released new online support resources on How to feel a little less alone, which includes guidance on coping with loneliness. Available at thecalmzone.net CALM Ambassadors Joe Marler and Shirley...
Read MoreUnderstanding Dyscalculia: When Numbers Feel Like a Foreign Language
Numbers are everywhere. From grocery shopping to planning a budget, they shape our daily lives in ways we often take for granted. But for individuals with dyscalculia, navigating the world of numbers can feel like deciphering an unfamiliar language—frustrating, confusing, and sometimes overwhelming. What is Dyscalculia? Dyscalculia is a specific learning difficulty (SLD) that affects a person’s ability to understand and work with numbers. It’s often described as “math dyslexia,” but this...
Read MoreEmbracing Neurodivergent Strengths: A Different Kind of Brilliance
In a world that often celebrates conformity, neurodivergent individuals shine in ways that challenge conventional thinking and enrich every field they touch. The unique cognitive styles of those with ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and other neurodivergent traits aren’t just differences—they are powerful strengths that drive innovation, creativity, and deep insight. Pattern Recognition & Problem-Solving Many neurodivergent individuals possess an extraordinary ability to detect patterns and...
Read MoreAnticipatory Grief & Suicide – a type of grief no one talks about… (Anonymous Author)
Grief is a powerful human response, the pain equivalent to the love we feel for those we lose. It is deeply personal, without hierarchy, presents differently in everyone, and helps us to heal in its own unique way. Bereavement support identifies several types of grief: Normal or uncomplicated grief Complicated grief Disenfranchised grief Collective grief Anticipatory grief Ambiguous grief Absent grief Secondary grief Cumulative grief Traumatic grief The grief I wish to discuss is anticipatory...
Read MoreChallenging Mental Health & Addiction Myths This Mental Health Awareness Week
May is Mental Health Awareness Week is 12-18 May, and in a world grappling with conflict, climate anxiety, economic uncertainty, and widening social divides, mental health challenges are rising at an alarming rate. But for many, these challenges are compounded by systemic inequalities. People of colour, LGBTQI+ individuals, women, and immigrants are not only facing the stressors we all share — they are doing so while navigating discrimination, marginalisation, and often feeling unsafe in their...
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