Small conversations can make a big difference to islanders' mental health on Time To Talk Day
The Jersey charity Focus on Mental Illness is using this year's Time To Talk Day to ensure people with severe mental illnesses are not forgotten.
Time To Talk is an annual awareness day on the first Thursday of February, when people across the British Isles are encouraged to talk about their emotional wellbeing.
This year's theme on 4 February is 'the power of small' - to signify that a small conversation about mental health can make a big difference to islanders, especially at such an isolating time with restrictions in both islands.
But Stephen McCrimmon from Focus on Mental Illness says it is important to remember that people with severe illnesses, like bipolar and psychosis, also experience fluctuating mental health and they must be included in the conversation.
One in six people will experience a mental health issue.
One in 100 will suffer from a severe mental illness like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.
3% of people will experience psychosis at some point in their lives, often triggered in adolescence.
21-year-old Adrienne Dixon from Jersey was diagnosed with psychosis five years ago when she could not distinguish what was real and what was not.
With timely psychological and psychiatric treatment, plus specialist support for her and her family, she is now at university and completing a work placement. She wants to share her story to show that a mental illness does not define a person and that you can live a fulfilling and happy life with the right help in place.
More information about the charity Focus On Mental Illness in Jersey can be found here and they can be contacted on 07797 710900 and info@focusmi.org