Madeleine describes how it feels to go through a mental health crisis, highlighting the need to treat people in crisis as themselves, with the dignity and respect they deserve.
- Madeleine Chamberlain
I was still me
I was just so engulfed in a world of my own creation
A world where I was alone against the enemies of my own mind
An alternative reality so clear yet so confusing
A hypothetical contradiction
That was my reality
I said regrettable things
Made decisions that only made sense to my train of thought
Any onlooker would have been perplexed
A world of me lost in my own mind
But I still felt it
The fact that it was not true does not negate
The belief
The impact
The trauma
I was still me
I was just buried under the rubble of the volcano
Whether you are looking for support for your own mental health at university or supporting a friend, help is available.
Madeleine is a recent graduate from the University of York and one of the sub-editors of the blog. Having experienced episodes of psychosis due to bipolar disorder, I am passionate about sharing my story to reassure others in similar situations that they are not alone and that there is always a way forward.
Madeleine, thank you for sharing your powerful and honest account of going through a mental health crisis. Your words serve as an important reminder to approach individuals experiencing such challenges with empathy, dignity, and respect. Your poem beautifully captures the complexities of the inner turmoil and the struggle to hold on to one's identity amidst the chaos. Your courage in sharing your experience will undoubtedly help others feel less alone and encourage greater understanding of mental health issues.
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