A Co Antrim woman has opened up about her own mental health struggles and how she is turning it into a positive to help others.
Natalie Swann from Ahoghill is speaking out to mark Mental Health Awareness Month this May.
Over recent weeks, the 27-year-old has produced a leaflet focusing on mental health and suicide awareness and the help and support available for those who may be suffering in silence.
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Natalie is planning to distribute the leaflet in her local area in a bid to help spread the word.
She told Belfast Live: "How this idea came about is that I have been attending a free college course in Ballymena, which is an OCN NI Level 2 Award in Awareness of Mental Health and Well-being.
"The aim is to provide learners with the knowledge and skills to work in roles that support mental health and well-being. We also have to develop an awareness of mental health interventions and support strategies.
"During this I had to illustrate a leaflet for suicide awareness. My tutor thought it was so good that she asked me to present it to the rest of our class to discuss. She said she was also going to show her manager in the hopes of possibly having it published on campus for other attending students. I also got great feedback from my classmates too when I was asked to present it to them."
Natalie added: "The front cover draws attention and gives a non-judgmental approach, reassuring others that there are many people who suffer the same way that they do and they aren’t alone.
“'It’s always good to talk' is a saying that is heard over and over when it comes to opening up about mental health and it's a good stepping stone to beginning any recovery journey. Information is then provided on whom to talk to.
“I'm also spreading suicide awareness and this is more for the family, friends and loved ones of those who suffer from poor mental health and/or suicidal thoughts etc. It provides helpful information and most importantly highlights signs of those whom may be suicidal. How many times has 'I didn’t know/see the signs' been said after someone has committed suicide? It helps make people more aware.
"There's a focus too on practising self care and this explains what it is and ‘self help’ techniques. I think it is important to be open and ‘real’ whenever we talk about mental health and suicide as it may encourage others to speak up and seek help they need.
"It also includes a list of the professional help based in Northern Ireland (local to my area in Ballymena) and this sign-posts sufferers and their loved ones."
Natalie added: "The Ballymena area has been hit recently with a number of suicides so it has been a really hard time for everyone, young people especially so I really want to do whatever I can to try and help. I've struggled with mental health issues myself since my teens with episodes of depression, anxiety and panic attacks.
"You can find yourself in some dark places and thinking that you're never going to make it or feeling that there's no light at the end of the tunnel but obviously there is. Over the past few years, I've been working with counsellors, therapists and my GP and community mental health teams and I'm doing so much better as a result than I was.
"People who are feeling low can reach out and avail of these services too and I want to encourage them to talk to someone, whether it be their family or a professional. Ultimately life is short and we're losing too many people to suicide.
"Now I'm wishing to possibly have the leaflet printed myself to be able to have them spread out into the Ballymena area such as shops, libraries and possibly being able to post them through letterboxes of our local areas such as Cullybackey, Ahoghill, Galgorm and Ballymena itself."
Anyone who needs to talk to someone about mental health issues can call the Samaritans on 116123 or Lifeline on 0808 808 8000.
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