The Revd Stephen Sheridan, from Chester St Oswald & St Thomas of Canterbury, has written a poem for Time to Talk Day, which is today. 04 February 2021. It's written from the perspective of someone who has poor mental health.
Snap out of it they told me
Just pull yourself together
It isn't right to speak like that
When you're feeling under the weather
Just grab yourself a beer they said
I'll tell you a funny joke
Nobody should think like that
You're supposed to be a bloke.
You need to understand I said
That my illness won't just heal
By waking up one morning
Saying 'happy's how I'll feel'
You need to stick around me
When others run away
And understand that it's not you
If I tell you not to stay
To have you understand me,
That would be really great
Knowing that you'll listen
Helps me communicate
Patiently encourage
On days I need it more
In time I will get better
I've been through this before
Tell others how to treat me
Help them understand
Let's decide to rid the stigma
That's developed in our land.
It's not to do with badness
Or because of lack of wealth
The richest people, and the best
Can have poor mental health
One day when I'm better
We'll go out for a walk
But today just sit here with me
For now it's time to talk.
Revd Stephen Sheridan