Dear Soul Source Friends

It's Peter - the 99. 

Just wanting to say hello, and to hope everyone is well and managing. 

I've been poorly, I'm still in recovery and being treated for a severe mental illness. I'm just putting it out there - take care of yourselves, mental illness is still very stigmatised, but it is real, and it is devastating. I've lost my job because I was too ill to work. I'm fortunate - the suicide rate in the UK is high. Its the biggest killer of men under the age of 24 - I think that's right. 

It could happen to you, or a relative or a friend. Please all try and keep in touch, look out for the signs of depression or anxiety in yourselves and others. Please try and find some help as soon as you can - it's really hard, took me 18 months. I lived in total isolation for a year, I didn't speak - I was, and I still am sometimes , totally dysfunctional. It impacted my brother and my friends.

So, there you go. I don't know if this is ok Mike? Just wanting to raise awareness and to not be afraid to say I'm poorly. I'm not looking for anything other than to send a message.

Thanks my soul brothers and sisters.

Peter - of the 99

Thanks for sharing Peter, 

Hope your recovery is going well, thanks for taking time to pass on both your current situation and also the worthwhile advice, keep in touch

best wishes 

Mike

Hi Peter,

I wondered where you went.

Must have been very difficult so respect for getting yourself to this point and also being brave enough to share what you have been through these last 18 months.

It is much more common than people realise, particularly in these times, a lot of people keep the early signs to themselves, although I do believe it is getting less and less a taboo subject.

If you are able, would you be able to say how your mental heath escalated to the point in which you described?

Anyway, as I said, respect for getting this far and best wishes going forward.

Steve

 

Hello Peter 

Just the other day I was wondering about you.

Very brave of you to come back and speak of your illness.  Hopefully you are well on the mend and hope you get back to some sort of normality, for you, your family and friends  

You were a big part of Soul Source, very active and have friends on here, reach out if you need to although I know that is easier said than done. 
 

Take care

Chalky

Peter, first of all it's great to know you are still with us. And thanks for letting us know.

So sorry to learn of your troubles, but no stigma here, mate. Just appreciation for your honesty and effort to keep it together.

One day I hope our paths cross and we can put the world to rights. Until then, stay safe and keep in touch.

Mickey

Great to have you back on the forum Peter

It is great to read that you have come to terms with this and have had the courage to write about your experience on the forum which will go some way to raising awareness, and hopefully help someone else experiencing the same emotions.

There is help available out there, and anyone feeling this way should not feel embarrassed about contacting their GP or at the very least speaking to a friend, it is amazing what a difference it makes speaking to somebody.

All the best

Martyn 

 

 

  On 06/10/2022 at 18:54, Peter99 said:

Dear Soul Source Friends

It's Peter - the 99. 

Just wanting to say hello, and to hope everyone is well and managing. 

I've been poorly, I'm still in recovery and being treated for a severe mental illness. I'm just putting it out there - take care of yourselves, mental illness is still very stigmatised, but it is real, and it is devastating. I've lost my job because I was too ill to work. I'm fortunate - the suicide rate in the UK is high. Its the biggest killer of men under the age of 24 - I think that's right. 

It could happen to you, or a relative or a friend. Please all try and keep in touch, look out for the signs of depression or anxiety in yourselves and others. Please try and find some help as soon as you can - it's really hard, took me 18 months. I lived in total isolation for a year, I didn't speak - I was, and I still am sometimes , totally dysfunctional. It impacted my brother and my friends.

So, there you go. I don't know if this is ok Mike? Just wanting to raise awareness and to not be afraid to say I'm poorly. I'm not looking for anything other than to send a message.

Thanks my soul brothers and sisters.

Peter - of the 99

Ey up Peter, thanks for reaching out. my wife works in Mental Health, you've always had loads of friends on here, you're not, and never will be alone my man, please keep talking, it took real bollocks to do what you did and tell your situation, if you ever need to talk, PM me, and we'll talk some shit together 😆 keep contributing on here aswell, you used to be prolific, and it was all great contribution, I, personally had a lot of communication with you, obviously, I wasn't the only one, we've missed you bro, welcome back 

Kev 

Hello Peter, sorry to hear you haven't been well. 

A courageous post.

You belong here, please keep talking and all the best for the future.

Thanks Everyone

I didn't expect so many nice comments - I feel buoyed by your kindness. I'm going to be working on my recovery, but will be lurking. A little bit of Soul Source to help the medicine go down. 😊

Hey Mike, did the original Peter ever log back on? I think I have been Peter99 for nearly ten years now! 🤨

Peter

🤗

  On 10/10/2022 at 19:09, Peter99 said:

Thanks Everyone

I didn't expect so many nice comments - I feel buoyed by your kindness. I'm going to be working on my recovery, but will be lurking. A little bit of Soul Source to help the medicine go down. 😊

Hey Mike, did the original Peter ever log back on? I think I have been Peter99 for nearly ten years now! 🤨

Peter

🤗

Hi Peter, yep the original Peter account is still active, so ya still stuck with Peter99 😉👍

Hey Peter … 99 😁

What a brave & honest post. Enormous luck with your recovery pal & it’s so nice to see an old timer (as in a forum old timer) back on here.

Keep fighting, stay strong & keep posting 👍🏼 or lurking (like I do 🤣)

All the very best

Ali xx

Well done for speaking out Peter - hope you're feeling better soon. Keep your chin up - the only way is up from now on! xx🙂

Hi Pete   been there myself in the last 12 months, although it was building up for some time before. One day at a time mate. It's a sneaky bastard. Set yourself daily goals and do as many you can and  get out as often you feel comfortable with. Take care and be strong, despite what your head says sometimes,, you can beat it.