#YoudNeverBelieve

Over the past few weeks I've been involved in a project called Project Teen, specifically the #YoudNeverBelieve part of this project. The project itself is AMAZING, I'll leave the link here so I'm not babbling too much! 

So I wanted to talk about my past, why this project means so much to me and things I haven't really spoken about. 

The first thing I'd like to point out is I had an amazing childhood, I can't bare to think about what some people's young lives were like and honestly I was lucky to have an amazing loving family. 

However when I was 14 I started really suffering with mental health, a lot happened and I felt like the world was against me. At 16 I got diagnosed with depression, anxiety and panic disorder. I started self harming and I thought the world wouldn't even notice if I wasn't here. I went through years of antidepressants - that actually made things worse, who knew a side effect of antidepressants is suicidal thoughts!? And counselling - which did help but only lasted 8 weeks a time, I went back 3 times which just wasn't enough. I never told my friends, family or doctor about the self harm, I still don't talk about it now, it's the hardest subject for me to talk about. 

These were the worst years of my life, and I didn't think I'd make it out. But I did. I still suffer from depression and anxiety, I can proudly say I haven't self harmed for 15 months and I haven't needed professional help for 12 months. I have such a great support system, my boyfriend is my rock and listens to whatever I need to talk about. My friends and family are just a call away whenever I need them.

I know that #YoudNeverBelieve I had been as bad as I had, it's terrifying to think that if it hadn't been for some friends, I honestly wouldn't be here now. Looking at younger me, I just want to shake little me and tell myself it will be okay, it will get better.  I wasn't as alone as I thought I was, and if I had just spoken out I could've got better a lot quicker.  

The point of this project is to let teen girls know that they aren't alone, there are so many people out there that have been through similar things and got out so much stronger. We need to unite to help the next generation be strong. YOU ARE NOT ALONE. You are never alone. 

I would love to know your #YoudNeverBelieve statements, come and share them with me on twitter! 

Bex Renshaw. 

Twitter : @bexrenshaw

Instagram : @bex_renshaw

YouTube : www.youtube.com/bexrenshaw
Website : www.bexrenshaw.com