Breathing Space – D’s Story
Our latest Your Stories contribution is from D, who shares her experience and gratitude for Bath Mind’s Breathing Space service.
For I sit in the silence, the silence that deafens me, feel my self screaming inside and loosing control.
You see, I sat for years in silence until I broke, I fell so hard, my entire being was shattered I couldn’t face living this way.
I didn’t know how to fix it, I always knew how to fix others but never myself.
How could I fix me? Too damaged, too broken to even know where to start.
For a long time I didn’t think I was going to make it, but I’m sat here now writing my own journey .
It’s been a hell of a ride, one I don’t think I would have made if it wasn’t for the people that showed me such kindness that I thought I didn’t deserve.
You see for the first time I reached out! One of the hardest things to do is say you are struggling.
I lived in flight or fight mode for such a long time.
But the first step I took was to reach out!
I was at my lowest, I was broken, on my knees and I didn’t know where to go!
I was pointed in the direction of Breathing Space.
So wow, what is this? It’s a place where you can go to on an evening or you can use the telephone line. A safe space.
At first I didn’t know how to speak to the staff about why I was at this point in my life.
Slowly they encouraged me, they listened without judgement, and they helped me through this journey I’m on and still receive support for – this journey so I didn’t have to feel like there was no other way out – like this life I couldn’t live anymore.
I couldn’t do it but they supported me above and beyond.
You see, I’m trying to say I’ve never seen such a service as this that offers mental health support.
This country is failing people with mental health. I can be sure that if it wasn’t for the exceptional staff at Breathing Space I would not be here right now, letting you know my story.
I sincerely thank you.
Posted on: 10th March 2025