Nailblazer || World Mental Health Day Mani

Friday was World Mental Health Day (yes I’m late!), so next in my awareness series is a green mani.
In this month’s Glamour, Dawn O’Porter wrote:

“There’s a motto kicking about online that I can’t stop thinking about. It’s such a simple statement, such an obvious thought, but it’s been favourited on my Instagram like it’s a massive revelation. It simply says, ‘Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always.'”

The column wasn’t about mental illness – it is a simple truth that we all have our battles to face, whether being diagnosed as clinically ‘normal’ or not – but imagine that of all of the people you know, 1 in 6 will be experiencing mental illness at any given time.

It’s estimated that only a quarter of people with mental illness receive ongoing treatment – whether due to being misdiagnosed by their GP or through not visiting their GP at all – and sadly, suicide remains the most common cause of death in men under 35.

To read more about the situation in the UK, read the Fundamental Facts, published by the Mental Health Foundation.

While great progress has been made, mental illness is still often a taboo. Time to Change, a joint effort by Mind and Rethink Mental Illness, states that nine in ten of those experiencing mental illness face stigma and discrimination as a result of their problem. Time to Change is an initiative aiming to change this through encouraging conversation in the place of silence, empowerment in the place of fear.

To find out more about Time to Change, visit their website.

For this mani, I used two coats of Models Own Hypergel White Light. On my thumb, ring and little fingers I added two coats of Models Own Toxic Apple from their Ice Neon collection.

Once dry, I took two of my new nail art pens from WAH London and used the built in stripers to draw the awareness ribbons on my index and ring fingers.

As always, I finished with a coat of HK Girl.

I hope for a future where those struggling with mental health problems no longer have to fear stigma, and can have access to all of the understanding, support, and treatment they need and deserve.

Remember to be kind. Always.