30 days creativity for wellbeing

I’m Megane and I’m raising money for Alternatives Counselling and Listening Rooms in Dundee by challenging myself to do something creative for 30 minutes every day in June!

They provide “Counselling for those affected by pregnancy choices, abortion, miscarriage, infertility, stillbirth or baby loss

We provide a space where you can talk through what has happened to you, what you are feeling and any choices you want to make. Our support is person-centred, this means we will not judge you or tell you what to do. Our service is available to anyone living in Tayside.”

I am doing this because this counselling service has helped save my life and given me incredible tools to begin living my life again. Read more to learn my story however be aware I will be candid and will put trigger warnings here for miscarriage and suicide. If you’d like to stop here that’s ok, and please know that every penny donated is hugely appreciated!

My story

I have had two miscarriages in my life and struggled after both of them, however after my second 18 months ago my mental health began to spiral a lot. I spent a lot of time and energy hiding this, I was already physically disabled and struggling with that as well as the loss of my ability to work and this miscarriage had brought so many feelings I wasn’t prepared for and also happened around traumatic circumstances. I hid my feelings and tried to keep going and focus on the good in my life but it didn’t help. I felt like a terrible wife and mother and by August last year I was struggling so much I wanted to not exist and planned my suicide. It feels awful to say now but at that point I truly felt like everyone would be better without me. Thankfully I didn’t and I decided to seek help and was recommended Alternatives by my mental health nurse. They specialise in support and counselling for all who are struggling with miscarriage or baby loss in any form. I managed to start my counselling in October last year, one year after my miscarriage, and it has changed my life. My counsellor helped give me tools that I can take forward with me in life, has helped me process past trauma, listened, helped me to judge myself less, arranged a beautiful memory box and supported me when I was utterly terrified of feeling. I never felt judged or unsupported at any second and it felt like she really tried to know me and what sort of methods and research would work for me. Throughout this time of counselling I also started a creativity for wellbeing course with another agency and combined with my counselling and a new found hobby in crochet, I have excelled. This is why I am now doing this fundraiser to give back to Alternatives who provide all of this for free, and promote how creativity can truly be beneficial for your mental health and overall wellbeing. I have never seen myself as artistic, I can’t draw, however I have learned that I am creative and actually, anyone can be! The key is not to judge yourself and offer yourself the same compassion and support you’d probably offer others.

Please consider donating to raise money for this incredible resource which is truly a lifeline for so many people! They are a small charity who rely on donations to give people free advice, counselling and support. Every single penny is hugely appreciated!