Cicely works as a Clinical Associate in Psychology within a CMHT team in East London. She is also the founder of SoundMindsUK a social media consultancy platform which educates and prevents mental health issues.
It was my normal 12-hour shift, as usual, I attended the safety huddle where I and my colleagues discussed any care plan updates of our patients. The clinical psychologist asked me if I wanted to join her in a therapy session with a patient that had been in the ward for 2 years, and I agreed. Sat down in front of me was a disturbed young woman who appeared to have lost all hope. She shared with us her story which completely changed my perception of how past experiences can affect the mind. This woman resembled me in many ways. We were both 23, both Ghanaian and we had been sexually abused at a young age. Yet there she was as the patient and I as her therapist. I sat and listened to the abuse and neglect experienced. She explained that she had wanted to tell her parents but feared that she would cause issues within her family. Years went on with more abuse and accusations, yet she had no friends to confide in, she was left with just her thoughts. Her mind replayed series of abuse neglect and negative comments. As I was sat and listened, all I could think of is that this could have been prevented, it didn’t have to go that far, someone could have saved her. The ‘mental’ get thrown in cells, I guess it’s the manifestation of the cells their minds are trapped in.
At this moment I am shown the impact of how trauma, neglect, and a lack of a loving support system can affect a person's mental health. I am recognising that the mind is a very powerful place, and we spend most of our time in our minds. So, imagine if your mind harboured negative thoughts and painful experiences, it would eventually lead to you being in a dark place. The mind controls how you feel, your emotions and the decisions you make. When fear caused by the past takes control, your mind becomes a very toxic place, and you begin to create a toxic world in your head which soon interferes with your reality. A Clean love zone is taking a conscious decision to seek help by speaking out and focusing on positive experiences in your life. With time comes healing and with healing comes freedom.
Working as a Clinical Associate in Psychology, in this pandemic I have seen a drastic increase in mental health cases. These are unprecedented times, and many people are finding it hard to cope. The fear of what is next and of if life will ever go back to normal. The reality is we have no control over when this pandemic will be over when we will be out of lockdown and if life will ever go back to normal. However, we have control of what we allow into our minds and how we allow this pandemic to affect us. Actively choose to have a positive outlook on life, by making the most of what we currently have and can do. I am convinced that the mind is our biggest asset therefore we must do everything to protect it and invest in it.
My tips to live in a clean love zone:
1. Speak out about any issues or worries you have. Nothing is too big to share. Secrets have a way of appearing big but once shared it loses their significance and holds over your mind.
2. Avoid constantly checking and meditating on negative news
3. Make the most of what you have around you and use them positively
4. Unfollow toxic social media accounts and look for accounts that motivate you.