Monday, 29 December 2014

Just listen - message for families of mental health sufferers


Where did it start this nightmare of mine
It seems to have crept in uninvited for sure
First in the pit of the stomach a pain so tight
Depressions not about feelin' sad, it's a disease

I walk through the trees and birds to lift my mood
But upon my return the gloomy monster's still there
Follows me like a storm cloud I just cannot shake
Determined to eat me one piece at a time, why me?

How do you ask for help when you don't understand
Well I don't know the reply comes back, take some pills
They wont cure you but you'll feel better, happier
I don't want to feel happier, I want to feel well

Family think I'm awkward my moods unpredictable
The strain of working and taking care of them
New clothes new car, new problem same complaint
Money won't fix my situation, can't you simply listen

Need you to look at this, make more money, more profit
Take more work on, why haven't you done that yet
Can't think any more, can it hurt any less
Won't you leave me alone to decrease my stress
Something about to break, I think it'll be me
sliding down a slope, nothing to grab hold of
That's it now, I've had enough, no more to give
Hearts pumping strong, breathing shallow, gone dizzy

No work today just a doctor to call, worried face staring at me
Possible heart attack, he needs rest, and release from the stress
You are one step from Hospital, funny I thought it was 10 miles
He must know how to travel by thought, I wish that I could do that

Two weeks later bright eyes and bouncing along
Could it be be that my heart is so strong
Keep going to the place that made my heart race
Making the money in the hope of some honey

But my moods they still swing, got no patience
Shout and scream, it's not helping I know
DON'T TALK BACK Just let me vent steam!
Not sure I can cope, I thought I was past this

Now I am alone and walking the streets
But no home to go to, no place by the fire
It's all changed now, we'll take care of you now
Work through your problems one step at a time

We think it's mental illness, depression and stress
Keep you here for now, you know, for the best
How can I be mentally ill? now I'm not so sure
Wouldn't I notice, I thought I was ok?

Roll time backwards, where did I go wrong
What's the symptoms, the name of this trap
Don't want drugs to dull the pain, I need control
Where did I go wrong, was it me all along?

Paint some pictures, sit with the others, just like you
I'm not so sure that I fit in with this crew
My art so plain, displayed quite in shame
Who is that guy, won't you tell me your name

I like what you've done, so bright and talented
Hey yours is good, you sure got some promise
Me are you kidding? Are you being so honest?
His work is so cool, her's a dream come to life

Then I made a new friend, and then another
One by one, new faces, new pictures hanging there
Fantasies come to life, on canvas and paper
Charcoal smears swooping so full of beauty

There's a light in my life now, some passion and hope
Some people who have been there in the dark tunnel
Who know how hard it has been to explain
To loved ones that you needed a hand to recover

A person to talk and understand, mostly listen
How hard mental illness is to carry and to beat
Who knows that under the cloak a good heart can beat
A spirit can rise again, be creative and shine

Now I see others who make the hard journey
Who start to figure how to put the pieces together
With such helpful staff, many new friends, fun times
We start to realise that we have worth and esteem

A new life, bright new spirit, new hope and a chance
To be part of society and rebuild broken bridges
Regroup now, always getting stronger, like an army
Doing things we never thought we could do again

The people who help us, so impassioned and strong
Always giving, never judging, what is right, who is wrong
Each one now a friend so dear and so loving
They should get medals, what they do for so little

My rhyme hurts to write the words all so new
for memories of things that used to be true
now in the past, I have moved on down
the journey of life so amazing, thanks everyone

For paid staff, volunteers and friends at Rethink
Who help to give us back our lives and new choices
Without whom the path would be impassable
Please talk about Mental Health, but mainly JUST LISTEN!

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