Are you OK?

The month of October has seen many different health awareness days and campaigns, including breast cancer, a cancer that affects millions of women (and men) around the world. Whereas it is of vital importance to educate as many people as possible around the symptoms and risk factors of breast cancer, another very important health issue has fallen by the wayside.

How many people know that October is also Mental Health Awareness Month? Why is it so much easier for people to talk about physical injuries and illness, than mental illness? Just because you can't see it, doesn't mean it's not there.

We live in a very violent society - fear and stress are part of our daily lives. Financial stress, fear of losing our jobs, fear for our families, fear of getting mugged, raped or killed, fear of not coping with life anymore. We all live under so much pressure, but rarely pay attention to it. It's a typical South African thing to just "suck it up and soldier on" - after all, "there are so many other people who are far worse off than you". And, if you're not coping, you feel like a weakling, too ashamed to cry for help.

Don't forget that we are all human - we can all cope with only so much. If you are feeling overwhelmed; if you are feeling despondent and tired of fighting; please stop and ask for help. Do it today. Don't try to do this all alone! You would be surprised at how much compassion people have and, once you start talking, how many people may be experiencing some really challenging issues themselves. Give yourself the gift of love and compassion today by reaching out to someone you trust. If you feel uncomfortable to talk to people close to you, contact Sadag Mental Health Line (Tel: 011 262 6396 or 0800 21 22 23) or Lifeline (on 011 422 4242 or 0861 322 322). These phone numbers are manned 24 hours a day. You can also ask for help via Twitter or Facebook or find a therapist near you on TherapyRoute.

The poet Khalil Gibran has written the following words: "Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars."

Don't ever give up.