World Mental Health Day 2014

Mental Illness.
Something that 1 in 4 of us will experience in our lifetimes. Yet something that is still surrounded by prejudice and ignorance and still carries an enormous (and totally wrong!) stigma with it.
Be it depression, OCD, schizophrenia or an eating disorder - it affects us all. Whether it is yourself or someone you care about, almost everyone will live or work with someone living with mental illness.
I'm not afraid to admit that I have first hand experience of living with this. What I am scared of however is the blind ignorance of the many people who tell me to just 'get over it'. It is not a choice. I repeat, this is NOT a choice. Why on earth would anyone choose to feel so awful?! 

So how can you make a difference?

There are many ways that you can help make a change. Firstly, just being accepting and understanding can make an enormous difference. You probably wouldn't think twice about being caring and considerate if someone you knew had a physical illness such as a broken bone, well it's just the same as a mental illness. You may not be able to see the pain but it doesn't mean it isn't there.
You can also make it official and sign the Time To Change Pledge here.
Another way to personally help is simply to talk. The difference a conversation can make is huge. It could be about anything, but just letting someone know you are there for them can make such a big difference. Often people will feel very alone and isolated when they are struggling, so simply reaching a hand out to them could change everything.
And if you want talk to somebody about your own situation, there are some tips here.

#TimeToTalk

What is Time To Change?
They are an anti-stigma campaign run by Mind and Rethink Mental Health working to end the discrimination surrounding mental health.
Please, you can help to make a difference.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month - Pink Ribbon

Did you know that October is Breast Cancer Awareness month? If you didn't, you do now! Breast Cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the UK and it can affect both women and men. It is also the second most common cause of death by cancer, but in the last five years survival rates have significantly improved. This is largely down to research. And research involves funding. So because of that I have teamed up with Breast Cancer Campaign, in support of their Wear It Pink day. Click on the links to find out more.

Also, on a more personal note, breast cancer is something that has been all too common in my family and friends. Most of us (probably all of us really) within our lifetimes will unfortunately be hit with the news that either ourselves or someone we love has cancer and if there is anything that could better the situation, I'm more than willing to help.  

So in order to show my support I have created some simple nail art using O.P.I DS Reflection and a white nail art pen.

O.P.I DS Reflection is a stunning hot pinky coral with a gorgeous scattered holographic particles. Its also a one coater! Application was buttery smooth and it dried beautifully.

To create the ribbons I simple drew them on using a white nail art pen and on my ring finger I drew a large outline over the pink instead and filled the background in.

I decided to keep this one very simple so that it is easy to re-create, should anyone else wish to.

I hope I've inspired you to get involved in any way you can because it really is a great cause, and one that may unfortunately affect almost all of us in one way or another.

Here's a bit about Breast Cancer Campaign:

·          At Breast Cancer Campaign we are a unique community of scientists, supporters and people touched by breast cancer. Together we make Pink Science happen – our pioneering approach to breast cancer research that identifies and funds the research projects with the greatest potential to save and improve lives and, ultimately, to find a cure for breast cancer.

·          In its lifetime the charity has awarded over 360 grants with a total value of over £40 million to universities, medical schools and research institutes across the UK.

·          As of September 2013, the charity currently funds 105 projects worth £18.2 million in over 30 centers of excellence across the UK and Ireland.

·          Last year wear it pink raised a staggering £2.1million to help fund vital research and this year we hope to raise even more!

And here are some Stats and figures:

•       One woman in eight will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime

•       It is estimated that there are 550,000 people living today in the UK that have been diagnosed with breast cancer

•       Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in the UK

•       Every year around 12,000 women and 80 men die from breast cancer

•       Breast cancer is the second biggest cause of death from cancer in women

•       Five year survival rates for breast cancer have improved significantly over the last 20 years

•       Over 80 per cent of women diagnosed today will be alive in five years’ time

•       40 years ago, the five year survival rate for breast cancer was around 50 per cent

•       Research has shown that the earlier breast cancer is detected, the greater chance of survival

•       The Breast Cancer Campaign Tissue Bank, the UK’s first ever national breast cancer tissue bank is a unique collaboration with four leading research institutions to create a vital resource of breast cancer tissue for researchers across the UK and Ireland.

This will be the first in a series of posts in support of Breast Cancer Campaign and their Wear It Pink Day.