On Our Sleeves : Wilted Flower
What does a wilted flower mean to you?
The bowed shape of the flower is telling … a shape that emotes shyness … nervousness. I don’t want you to see me. Maybe you don’t want to be called on in class or in a group setting. You want to hide from the rest of the world. What helps you stand up straight again, to have confidence?
Or maybe you feel sad...tired...discouraged. When living with a mental illness or providing support for a loved one living with a mental illness, we can feel defeated. As a caregiver, it’s important that we take care of ourselves in addition to our loved one. Find time to take a walk. Have a conversation. Enjoy time with friends. If you are living with a mental illness, know that there are people around to support you. There is hope.
As a flower wilts, it may drop a petal, falling apart – a feeling we sometimes have in our lives. It’s just too much. School. Work. Our relationships. Our busy schedules.
It is typical to have some of these thoughts and feelings from time to time. But when you feel like you want to be invisible all the time - that the sadness and defeat don’t go away - that it’s really just too much, what do you do and who do you turn to help you thrive and flourish again?
What does the wilted flower mean to you? Share using #OnOurSleeves.
Start Your Own Mental Health Conversations
Starting mental health conversations show children it’s okay to talk about mental health. Use the graphic to start a conversation with your family, friends and others.
Please share the graphic too! If you share on social media, don’t forget to tag us or use the hashtag #OnOurSleeves.