When my mother died, my mental health fell into decline. I tried everything from CBT to mindfulness, until one day something finally shiftedI used to think I was great at therapy. From 17 to 23, I saw a total of four therapists for anywhere between two weeks and three months. Each time, I would sit in their quiet, softly furnished rooms and reel off the story of why I was there: my mum had been diagnosed with terminal cancer when I was 15 and given six months to live. She survived, but I continued to live in fear as she relapsed, then went into remission and finally died four years later. I gave them the narrative, talked about how my relationships or work were adding to my stress, then took on their tips, from cognitive behavioural therapy to mindfulness.I was a conscientious student, eager to implement their advice so I could continue coping. Once my allotted number of sessions was up, I would leave, knowing that if things began to feel stressful again, I could return and pick up ...
Ammar Kalia's mental health declined after his mother's death, leading him to seek therapy repeatedly between ages 17 and 23. While he initially felt therapy was a helpful tool, at 23, unemployment and grief caused a deeper depression. Recognizing the need for therapy again, he faced long NHS waiting times.
