Today I received the following message and it moved me to tears. I’m sharing it with the author’s permission. This is what it’s all about. It makes the difficult times all worthwhile.

“Hey Taz – you probably get loads of these messages but I couldn’t not let you know how your experience helped me. I’m a 36 year old single mother to 4 children and have suffered depression on and off since I was 15. I had a breakdown after my last child 5 year ago and since then my moods fluctuated badly and I’ve recently been diagnosed as having cyclothymia – a form of bipolar. I started dating someone who was controlling and emotionally manipulative at Christmas and my mood swings got worse. I ended things a few weeks ago as I couldn’t take anymore. This weekend for many reasons, I went through the floor. I sat sobbing for hours (my kids were with their Dad) and I really didn’t think I could go on anymore. My ex husband was actually contemplating taking me to A&E to get me help. I was scouring the web for help – the Samaritans, nhs direct – they all looked a bit soul-less and I couldn’t face it. Then I remembered a video I’d seen a few weeks back on a friend’s timeline. It was a video where you were talking about your own experience with suicidal thoughts. I hunted it down and watched it over and over, crying at parts, nodding in recognition at others. I watched it over and over again until I felt as if I wasn’t alone anymore. I wanted to thank you for sharing your experience and for helping me feel as if there was someone out there who understands. I’ve been to the docs today and am back on the ole happy pills and things while still looking bleak, don’t look so pitch dark that I can’t see straight. Thank you for being there for me and for helping me to be there for my children for longer. ❤”

There’s always hope, folks. Always. Xx