A young woman living with mental health conditions is urging people to see the person, not the diagnosis.
April Longe, 20, has shared her experiences to tackle stigma and misconceptions about people living with mental health conditions. She has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, emotionally unstable personality disorder (EUPD), and depression.
April has personally experienced the stigma around mental health illness and EUPD, which she believes is connected to generalised views and a lack of understanding.
She said: “I used to be ashamed but then I realised I’m not a diagnosis, I’m a person with a diagnosis.
“So I can’t really get upset because they’re not talking about me, it’s just their opinion and you can’t always prove people right.
“There are misconceptions that people with mental health problems are lazy or are doing it to themselves.
“That’s one I really don’t like because I think most people who struggle would really like help or to do anything to get out of the cycle they are in.
“It’s not a choice. People with EUPD don’t ask for the trauma that contributed to their illness.”
April has received inpatient care from Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust’s mental health services for young people. She is currently under the care of the Trust’s Specialist Personality Disorder and Complex Needs Team.
April said: “I think their care has been amazing. They are understanding and they look at why you are the way you are.
“They understand you as a person, rather than just as a diagnosis, and see yourself as your own person.
“That’s so good, because you get to see yourself too, rather than being ashamed of who you are.”
April is currently in her first year of a psychology course at the University of Essex. She said: “I study psychology because I want to help people. Before I got ill I wanted to do medicine and become a neurosurgeon.
“I went into hospital and met a lot of psychologists who inspired me, so I want to work in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services as a psychologist.”
April has learned several useful strategies during her treatment and care, which she wants to share with anyone who might be struggling with their mental health.
“My thoughts used to be all over the place but someone recommended to me in hospital to get a journal and get it all out,” she said.
“When I’m struggling and feel I can’t contain the way I’m feeling, I write it down and find it very helpful.
“I found art therapy really helpful too so when I left hospital I continued with that, and dialectical behaviour therapy is also really useful.”
More information and support
The mental health charity Mind has information on its website about different types of mental health conditions, and the types of therapies, treatment and support available.
Kooth provides free, safe and anonymous online support and counselling for children and young people.
Young Minds also has advice and information to give young people the tools to look after their mental health. It also offers support for parents.
Where to get urgent help
- Anyone in mental health crisis who requires serious or life threatening emergency mental or physical care, should dial 999 immediately.
- If you are experiencing a mental health crisis and need urgent help, call 111 and select the option for mental health to be connected to trained staff at EPUT. The helpline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- EPUT’s Mental Health Urgent Care Department at Basildon Hospital also provides urgent support for anyone over 18 in mid and south Essex, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- Therapy for You, the local provider of NHS Talking Therapies, provides free psychological therapy for people experiencing depression and anxiety. EPUT provides Therapy for You for people living in Colchester, Tendring Southend, Castle Point and Rochford. Visit therapyforyou.co.uk or speak to your GP for a referral.
- For children and young people aged under 18 in crisis, call Southend, Essex and Thurrock Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service on 0800 953 0222 (9am – 5pm Monday to Friday) or 0800 995 1000 (after 5pm weekdays, and all day on weekends and bank holidays). This service is provided by the North East London NHS Foundation Trust.