What can help
What can help

Storytelling is one of the foundations of our culture. We can create connections by sharing stories – especially those that offer inspiration and hope. Recovery in mental health is not always well understood; sharing your story makes personal recovery come alive. It also supports values and strengthens lessons learned from life experiences. It helps to build community and create connections.

You can find lots of inspirational stories; use the search bar at the top to find stories relevant to you. To return to this page after a search, please press the back button in your browser.

Alternatively if you are a registered student and would like to write your story and want to share it, please contact us. You can read about other students experiences on our testimonials page and learn more about getting involved on our student development programme page.

Kindness = connectedness = reduced loneliness.

Carrie
10 May 2022

"Today was a day I smiled": Mental Health Awareness Week 2022

Kindness = connectedness = reduced loneliness.

This week is mental health awareness week and we asked our students to consider what they can do to connect and reduce loneliness, for their own mental health and to help the people of their community.

Today, student Carrie submitted an uplifting piece of writing about how one small act of kindness completely elevated her mood during a difficult time.

Continue to read to be taken alongside Carrie as she shows us the extraordinary difference a few simple words can make in helping us to feel connected and less lonely.

Yesterday was a day I smiled 

Yesterday I was taken aback by a simple act of kindness from a lovely elderly gentleman outside Moorfields eye hospital, he approached me and said:

“I have had an injection in my eye, but I can see you are a very beautiful lady” and on his way he went.

I was literally brought to tears by those few brief words and they captured me beyond belief. I’ve been through a difficult time lately and his words captured me in a way that gave me joy and happiness. It’s a golden moment I will always treasure because although it was a passing comment, it gave me worth again for a single moment and was priceless. 

It reminded me of a generation of my grandmas age. They were friendly and would make a nice kind gesture and were aware of their surroundings. This generation would much rather please someone with a good morning or just take note and brighten up your day with friendliness and conversations; rather than have their heads in their phone or simply just busy with the hustle of everyday living. 

We have all been through a difficult time lately and as we can all relate through isolation and Covid-19. I had forgotten how important it is to share such precious moments and how much impact someone’s kindness could captivate oneself.  His simple gesture with a few simple words captured me in such a kind way I was reminded that I do exist; that I am welcoming and a kind, nice and approachable person. And from that it totally elated me for a few seconds; from a complete stranger, elderly, full of charm and moralistic. He showed the importance of being mindful to one another. 

In this new modern world we are missing out on the simplicity of kindness and possible moments we could share with a stranger that could make a difference or an impact any of our lives; that one small act of kindness or exchange in words is a rarity, because we are caught in a world of technology. Facebook, Instagram, Whatsapp-ing having in headphones and music that cuts us off from our surroundings, and with that we are simply losing opportunities to exchange words or have a conversation that could make our day or the day of someone else who may be lonely and going home to no one. 

And with that I ask you to be mindful, slow down, take your headphones out and make a small welcoming gesture to smile, and welcome conversations with people you pass by. You may be surprised at what could be a simple exchange of words that hold importance somehow in life. 

That kind gentleman made my day and you could make someone else’s day too and make that someone feel like they count; even in a second or two, that’s nothing really is it.  After all, like my grandma once said: “it’s nice to be nice”. 😊 

 
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