Mental illnesses affects 1 in 4 people. A lot of us know that they are more common than most people think. Everyday, many people who suffer from a mental illness face stigma and discrimination whether it be in work, in public, with friends. This is because too many people either don't understand and want to learn more, or don't understand because they refuse to learn more. However, there are definitely ways in which we can all change that. Mental health is so important, just as important as physical health and it really should not go unnoticed. By raising awareness not only can we educate those who don't understand, but also we can encourage and give confidence to those suffering to reach out and talk about what they are going through.

1. Talk about it. Talk about mental health and illnesses and encourage people not to be judgemental. To add to this, kindly educate those around you on how to talk about illnesses as this is something that I feel needs to be encouraged more. Far too often you will find that many people don't know how to approach the topic, whether it be difficult for them or they just don't understand.

2. Talk to others about how they are feeling. Start with your loved ones, check in on how they are doing regularly. If you know someone who is struggling with a mental illness, reach out to them especially. Be supportive and always make sure to listen to those close to you.

3. Learn the signs and symptoms of mental illnesses. Know what to watch out for not only in others but yourself.

4. If there is a way in your community that you can raise awareness or support your own mental health by donating your time to others. I helped out in a mental health charity shop once where they were talking and educating others on mental health. I'm not a professional whatsoever but I was able to share my story. I'm not the most confident person and talking to others can be extremely difficult for me - I usually avoid it in any way I can, but I knew it was something that could be of help to someone.

5. Sharing your story. This is something that I am slowly finding the confidence to do. It is a scary thing, but so so helpful to not only others, but yourself. For you, it is a way to let out everything you keep to yourself, everything you want to tell people but have been to afraid. For others, it shows them that it is more than okay to reach out for help, to talk about how they're feeling or what they have been through. Not only that but it will give hope to others and remind them that above all, they are not alone.
I have learned that there is nothing to be ashamed of when sharing your story. It takes time. But only do it if you feel ready to. Never feel as if you are being pressured into sharing things that you don't want to.

You can read stories that have been shared here; Time to Change or Mind

6. Share a link on your social media. It doesn't matter how many facebook friends you have, how many people follow your twitter, Instagram or whatever social media platform you have. One post could impact so many, all it takes is the first share. It could be a link to the ones I shared above with other peoples stories. It could be to a facebook group. A charity page. An online forum/mental health community. Even a blog post. Just think that by sharing one thing online, you could be helping someone who is either struggling themselves, or wants to help someone they love, etc.


Anything you do - and there is nothing too small or too big - to start the conversation about mental health will make a huge impact. So, let's rise above the stigma together.


Thank you so much for reading,

for any more information on how to raise awareness for mental health, get involved with Mind or Nami, or a mental health charity local to you.

Until next time, be you and keep smiling.

I am a huge movie person and I'm sure we all get asked now and again for movie suggestions. So I thought I would put together a small collection of movies for you to watch.  Now as much as I love movies such as Rocky, Harry Potter, Star Wars, Divergent and so on, I'm pretty sure most people have seen them (if you haven't, then what are you waiting for?) so I'm going to try and keep this as a list of movies that should be talked about more. So let's get to it!



1. A Girl Like Her - This is such an important and relevant movie to watch about bullying and it's affects. This movie made me cry, a lot. It's so powerful and real.

And my album reviews are back! I do have a few lined up over the next week or so so stay tuned if you like these kind of posts. As you can tell by today's title, I will be reviewing Blink 182's new album California.

For this post, though. I will only be including my favourite lyrics from my favourite songs from the album.

Bored To Death

"There's an echo pulling out the meaning, rescuing a nightmare from a dream"
"It's a long way back from seventeen, the whispers turn into a scream"
"Lost and cold, and fading fast"
"The pictures in her head are always dreaming, each of them means everything to me"


Los Angeles

"Los Angeles, when will you save me"
"We'll watch the sun just burn away the sky"
"Watch the city lights die out up on Mulholland Drive"
"Wake me up when this war is over, meet me where the skyline ends"


No Future

"The next day, the sun will always rise"
"Every day that you waste, every promise that you break slips beneath the floor"
"Hours lost to dawn from dusk"
"Let the music seal your fate, yeah you can run but life won't wait"
"Someday, I'll smile and say goodbye"
"Every night that you fight, every demon in sight"


Home Is Such a Lonely Place

"We're falling faster than we can fly, forgotten seconds out on Sunset Drive"
"It feels like the moon is spinning off into outer space without you"
"This room is such a lonely place without you"
"I love the lightning but hate the rain, tomorrow's frightening but not today"
"Wish I could slow down time but not enough to slow you down"


Kings Of the Weekend

"It's Friday night let's lose our minds"
"Thank God for punk rock bands" (yes)
"Until Monday morning strikes again, we'll be the kings of the weekend"


Teenage Satellites

"Let's run away, let's go and waste another year"
"Let's spin apart while racing through the atmosphere"
"We tumble through night, we burn so bright, we're teenage satellites"
"As we climb over the neighbor's fence the longest summer's nights are numbered"
"Then you kissed me like a storm at sea"
"We are a slow descent, forgotten astronauts"
"We are an avalanche, we're just an after thought"


Left Alone

"Eyes are open words are spoken, here's to the sunrise"
"Head is loaded cards are folded, under the moonlight"
"Left alone, we're only half way home"
"Sink like stones, fall into the unknown"
"Break me down, I'm not afraid of you"
"Left alone to wonder"
"Mind is open thoughts are woken, there goes the sunrise"
"Heart is broken love unspoken, here comes the moonlight"


California

"Can't you see I'm doing fine, it's what I've always wanted"
"here's to you, California"
"Beautiful haze of suburbia"
"Wearing all black out on the beach" (me)
"Let's take a walk out on the pier, watch the shoreline disappear"



Overall Review

I love this album. I've had it on repeat for the past two weeks and can't get enough of it. This is a classic Blink record, 3 seconds into Cynical and you just know it's going to be brilliant and it's them. But fresher. I loved all the songs but to shorten my favourites list down I'd say I much prefer Bored To Death, No Future, Home Is Such a Lonely Place and Left Alone. I do love California and Los Angeles, too, I get this teenage/young Blink vibe from them which is cool despite some of the cheesy lyrics.
Is it my favourite Blink 182 album? Maybe, maybe not. I think their older stuff is a lot better, but the album is a whole is probably up there with their best. We have to give credit to the fact that they did lose a band member, too, and were joined by Matt Skiba from Alkaline Trio which can be difficult in the music industry. A lot of Blink fans were worried after Tom Delonge's exit, nevertheless, Skiba's harmonies alongside Hoppus were great and I can't seem to fault him at all.


To purchase or stream California:  Spotify, iTunes


thanks for reading! Have you heard Blink's new album? What did you think of it?

Until next time, be you and keep smiling.