It's not news that topics such as suicide, disability and mental health remain marginalised in mainstream discussions, perpetuating a harmful cycle of stigma, silence, and isolation for those impacted. I deal with a disability, I struggle with mental health through autism and anxiety and I have been around suicide twice. There is stigma and I understand all of these implications.
By choosing to write about these critical yet often neglected issues on my blog, The CP Diary, I feel I'm contributing to a much-needed shift in public awareness and perception. These topics demand open conversations, as their invisibility exacerbates the challenges people face, both in seeking help and in receiving understanding from society.
The Impact of Silence
When society avoids talking about issues like mental health, suicide and disability, it allows misunderstandings and stereotypes to flourish. Silence breeds misinformation and misinformation contributes to stigma. In the case of suicide, not talking about it openly leads to the dangerous myth that discussing it encourages the act itself. However, research shows that open conversations can actually reduce the risk of suicide by fostering understanding, empathy and connection, allowing people to seek help without fear of judgment. I have been around suicide. I know others who know of someone who has taken their own life.
For those like me with disabilities, silence means our struggles remain invisible. When public discussion is lacking on sensitive topics, people are often seen through a narrow lenses of pity or, even worse, as 'inspirational' simply for managing everyday life. Such narrow narratives strip away our humanity, our agency. People want to be seen and valued for who they are, not for their mental or physical challenges.
Mental health issues
Similarly, mental health issues are misunderstood. Depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and other mental illnesses are still considered personal weaknesses, rather than medical conditions. Where mental health is not discussed, those who suffer often feel isolated, overwhelmed – scared – in fear of seeking out treatment; with friends or family often not knowing how to offer support or what to say.
Breaking the Stigma
Stigma thrives when ignorance and fear shape our responses to difficult subjects. My blog can play a crucial role in breaking down stigma by offering information, stories and personal perspectives. When people understand these issues are not moral failings or choices, but rather complex conditions often influenced by biology, environment and circumstance, they are more likely to want to respond with compassion, rather than judgment.
Although the world is now changed, my aim is to continue to help create a space where people can feel safe to share their experiences, where our voices are heard and where empathy becomes the foundation of the conversation. This can lead to more supportive communities – encouraging those who are struggling – to feel less alone.
For example:
The Role of Education and Advocacy
Another powerful aspect of writing about these topics on my blog is the educational impact. When politicians are well-informed, they can advocate for better policies, healthcare services and societal changes. Governments, schools, workplaces and healthcare institutions all have roles to play in improving the lives of those affected by suicide, disability and mental health issues. With mental health services in place, it can lead to systemic change, reducing the number of people who fall through the cracks.
By raising awareness and offering educational content on my blog, I hope I can help readers understand the importance of early intervention in mental health and the complexities of preventing suicide. Having been around suicide and having come across others who have also had suicide to deal with, advocacy for stronger mental health services is critical.
In Covid-19 the suicide rate has gone up
Part of a a systematic review on the Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic on Suicidal Attempts
“The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the risk factors associated with suicidal behavior and thus, prioritizing its prevention is recommended.
This study systematically reviewed the global evidence on the incidence of suicide/suicidal attempts and the trend in suicidal rates during the COVID-19 pandemic. Cross-sectional and cohort studies investigating the outcomes of suicidal death and suicidal attempts at any setting during the COVID-19 pandemic were searched in Medline, Embase, and PsycINFO databases for papers published from December 2019 to May 2021.
Out of 1052 studies18 studies with 12,746 suicidal attempts and 33,345 suicidal deaths were included in the final analysis. The mental health impact of social distancing, COVID-19 quarantine, and financial crises due to loss of employment were associated risk factors with suicide and/or suicidal attempts during the COVID-19 pandemic.” – (Source: https://bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com)
Creating a Culture of Support
Through The CP Diary, I have made it a mission to create a space where people can talk openly about the struggles we often keep in the dark. At its core, my writing is about support – offering a platform where we can connect with others who have walked similar paths, and where we can find community and mutual support.
For those who face loss or personal battles, the journey can feel isolating – but by opening up this dialogue, I hope to show that we’re not alone – and that through shared stories and experiences, we can build understanding and empathy.
My Writing
This space isn’t just for those directly affected. It’s also for people who want to learn how to support their own mental health, to help others who might also be struggling. I want my writing to be a resource for people to understand mental health, anxiety, depression, suicide and the barriers faced by those with disabilities. These are tools more of us should have.
It’s about breaking down the stigma and learning how to support each other through difficult conversations. The CP Diary is one of the ways we can start that process, and I'm honoured to be part of it.
Conclusion: Shifting the Narrative
By choosing to write about mental health, suicide and disability (in no specific order) – and having grown up in a 'culture of silence' I am continually having to be active – to push back against it. The way I see it is, the more we talk about these topics, the more we normalise conversations around them, allowing people to feel safe in sharing their struggles. This, in turn, can foster a society where empathy, education and advocacy replace isolation and stigma.
My blog can be a powerful voice in a larger movement to de-stigmatise these critical issues. Every conversation, every post and every shared story, contributes to a culture where those affected are seen, heard and supported. Ultimately, this can change perceptions, save lives and build a more inclusive, compassionate society.
