Ciarán's story: The importance of paying attention to your mental health

It started when I was in university.

I had never paid much attention to my mental health. Constantly running away from any anxiety or sadness I felt.

This came to a head at the end of my first year of university. My mental health had massively declined, and I went to go see the onsite counsellor, who confirmed that I had alcohol abuse issues.

This was a safe place for me to be able to accept it and talk about it openly though. Being able to discuss this led me to begin questioning how I looked at other things.

I found myself getting into journaling and meditation. Two practices I previously would've scoffed at.

It took two years for me to feel comfortable being me again. Which left me wanting to help others in a similar way.

I now work as a Hypnotherapist with my own practice in my hometown. My aim is now to help others notice what they may be ignoring about themselves. How noticing what we may be running away from, could be the greatest catalyst for change.

My aim is that in sharing my own story, we begin to observe and reflect more on how we think.

Because at the end of the day the only person you are going to go to sleep with and wake up with for the rest of your life is you. So it is best to be in good company.