1/ (TW, self harm, suicide). Sorting. Found these letters/photos from my kids when I was in treatment ‘17, away for 6 months in #southafrica. I have lost years of their lives because of untreated #complexposttraumaticstressdisorder. I got help. I’m #healing. What about others?

2/ You won’t see a single #scar on my arms in this photo. Research into #trauma explains why I’ve been in MH system a lifetime with significant periods of functioning well. It could never last though #untreated. My body kept the score. Untreated, unrecognised #CPTSD #dissociation

3/ I won’t post photo of me in psych ward in plaster, operated on. I shouldn’t have lived. I can’t remember many significant events in my life, my children’s lives. #overmedicated #ECT untreated #dissociation. We need to start #listening #learning. It’s not ok. This is not ok!!

4/ Step out of your ivory towers & into our lives. People are #dying in many ways we do not even #see. I am a human being like you. I love, I laugh, I hurt, I mess up ... I #am. Stigma runs #deep. Don’t be fooled. Who speaks up? Who will say? All I can do is #me!!