Alison Campbell

#Handover

So I’ve handed the ball and chain over to my cousin Wendy Jane …I know she will do an amazing job raising awareness and having many worthwhile conversations this week...I’ve given her a few hints and tips to help her on her way…Best wishes for the week ahead little cuz! So what have the past 7 days taught me? Anyone who knows me knows I like to talk…this week I have had many conversations about my very obvious accessory... Medicine Ball Challenge!! Each and every conversation has meant so much to me… I have discussed a variety of topics…from the mental wellbeing of our children and young people to micro dosing with magic mushrooms! But the most important thing for me was that those conversations happened! I have shared with all those people how very thankful I am that I have never suffered with a mental illness… Yes I have had bad days where I have felt sad…lonely…excluded…rejected…heartbroken and just down right miserable…but I am so grateful that throughout my life I have had amazing family...friends…and a faith that has helped me build the resilience to deal with those days… I have felt the pain of grief…of loss…of tragedy…and I have watched as people close to me battled with mental illness…I have lost family and friends to suicide… I honestly wish that no one ever had to experience any of this…but unfortunately that is not the reality of life… Carrying the weight has no doubt increased the power and strength in my muscles…everyday it became easier but to begin with, the longer I walked about with the ball the heavier it became…the same is true of a heavy mental burden...it might be resentment towards a colleague…disappointment towards a loved one…regret over a decision…these all become heavier over time…until acknowledged… Each time I sat down to talk to someone I set the ball down and it seemed lighter when I picked it up again…how much lighter would our burdens become if we talked about them? Talking about your feelings and emotions is never a sign of weakness…it’s part of taking control and acknowledging when things are becoming overwhelming…sometimes it’s difficult to put into words the way you are feeling…you might feel awkward starting the conversation…but believe me the old cliché is true… #itsgoodtotalk This week was never about fundraising for me...but I want to thank all those who donated to either my fundraising page or any of the other worthwhile charities highlighted throughout the week… My priority was to help reduce the stigma that surrounds mental illness…unfortunately it is still very much a taboo subject...a lot of people shy away from talking about it…if you have been reading my posts this week, I hope you realise that it’s nothing to be ashamed of…your mental health is just as important as your physical health… If my medicine ball journey helps just one person, it will have been worth all the strange looks…struggles with every day tasks and physical pain of the cuff! Thanks for being on this journey with me…your messages of support have meant a lot…

#Day7

This is my final day with the Medicine Ball Challenge attached... https://events.soldierscharity.org/s/14670/21792/e It's been an experience...it has taught me a lot...opened up many conversations...allowed me to promote mental wellbeing within the youth organisations to which I belong...and I will sum it all up in a post tomorrow... For now I just want to share what so many people have said this week.... "It's brilliant what you are doing...we need to normalise mental health and talk freely about it like this all the time"....my question is..."why do we not?" The last charity I want to highlight is by no means the least... Lifeline is an amazing Northern Ireland based charity that is there 24/7 for everyone... Lifeline is the Northern Ireland crisis response helpline service for people who are experiencing distress or despair. ..No matter what your age or where you live in Northern Ireland, if you are or someone you know is in distress or despair, Lifeline is here to help... Lifeline counsellors are experienced in working with trauma, suicide, self-harm, abuse, depression and anxiety. You will receive immediate help on the phone. Should you need further support we can provide a face-to-face counselling appointment in your local area within seven days... The Lifeline helpline is funded by the Department of Health...

#Day5

#Day6

#Day6

Building IKEA furniture is definitely not as easy with a ball and chain attached...and a walk is made a lot more difficult with the burden of a weight...

#Day5

I am so thankful for the Medicine Ball Challenge...it has opened up so many conversations for me about mental health this week...

#Day4

The Medicine Ball Challenge continues... As the week goes on it certainly doesn't get any easier!! I want to say a big massive thank you from the bottom of my heart to all the amazing people who have sponsored me...it isn't about the amount of money I raise but it will all go to an extremely worthwhile cause and help numerous people in their journey... Today I want to highlight the work of PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide... PAPYRUS is the national charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide... Suicide is the biggest killer of young people under 35 in the UK... Every year many thousands more attempt or contemplate suicide...harm themselves or suffer alone... afraid to speak openly about how they are feeling... Again that old cliché...its good to talk!!

#Day3

I was on the move with the Medicine Ball Challenge today... I meet a friend for lunch and got some strange looks in the process... The ball continues to teach me how difficult it is to live with a mental illness...I couldn't wait to get into bed last night so I could take it off and I didn't want to get up this morning knowing that I would have to put it back on...the physical pain from the handcuff has also reminded me that those living with mental health conditions often suffer from poor physical health as well... Today I am focusing on Aware NI ... AWARE is the depression charity for Northern Ireland - and the only charity working exclusively for people with depression and bipolar disorder... AWARE delivers mental health and well-being programmes into communities, schools, colleges, universities and workplaces... Everyone can have a bad day, or two, now and again, but when you are depressed, those feelings of sadness never seem to end... Depression makes everyday tasks feel overwhelming and the motivation to do anything at all, very challenging... Please don't keep these feelings to yourself...there is always someone their to talk to...

#Day2

Already the ball is teaching me how debilitating a mental illness can be...something as simple as ironing was such a mammoth task...walking the dogs this morning was much more difficult than normal...for someone suffering this is the reality...everyday tasks become overwhelming work loads 😢 Today I am highlighting the amazing work of Combat Stress... THE UK'S LEADING CHARITY FOR VETERANS' MENTAL HEALTH For over a century Combat Stress have been helping former servicemen and women deal with issues like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression. Today they provide specialist treatment and support for veterans from every service and conflict, focusing on those with complex mental health issues related to their military service... Combat Stress provides a range of community, outpatient and residential mental health services to veterans with complex mental health problems. We provide services in-person, and via phone and online. If you feel you would like to donate to the charities supported by the challenge please click on the link below... https://events.soldierscharity.org/s/14670/21792/w #medicineballchallenge

And so it begins...

...no better day to start than #worldmentalhealthday2021 https://events.soldierscharity.org/s/14670/21792/w #medicineballchallenge Medicine Ball Challenge For the next 7 days I will have this ball chained to my arm... The challenge aims to create awareness... encourage people to talk about their mental health and to break down the stigmas associated with mental health problems...It's ok to speak up and say 'I'm not ok'... Each of us will have had some exposure to mental health issues...either observing from a distance or being up close and personal...whatever your experience please know that it's OK to talk about it... Each day this week I will be promoting a charity that helps to tackle a range of metal illness... Today I'm wearing a Action Mental Health t shirt... Action Mental Health changes the lives of those living with mental ill health and promotes resilience and well-being to future generations...Action Mental Health (AMH) actively promotes the mental health and well-being of people in Northern Ireland. To read more about what they do please click on the link below... https://www.amh.org.uk/