It occurred to me earlier today that I needed to thank some people as, without them it is highly unlikely I’d be here. I am going to talk about my mental health here so if that’s not for you, I’d suggest you just skip this page.

My first thanks goes to my parents, but especially my mum. On 15 January this year I finished work early, I was on shorter hours due to my mental health issues, and I took myself up to the Royal Infirmary in Edinburgh. In a very weird turn of events I was told they could not treat me as I lived in West Lothian ( I should have changed my address by then but I was still hopeful Keith and I would work things out and I would move back to Bathgate). Given she had asked me just moments before “do you think you’ll try and hurt yourself if you leave the hospital” to which I replied “possibly”, it then seems a bit odd that she sent me off to travel to St Johns in Livingston! I called my mum and she was right there in an instant (well, as quickly as she could driving in from Tranent) and took me to St Johns.

I need to thank the MH team in St Johns. At the time I was not happy that they would not admit me (I had after all packed my pjs and toothbrush in my bag for work that morning), but looking back it was the right decision. They got me registered with the Intensive Mental Health at Home team in Haddington and I got a lot of support from them and the teams under them.

I’ve gone to The Soul Man ( http://www.thesoulmanscotlans.com) in Livingston for years, the team there have always been fabulous, but Jo’s reiki and readings have been amazing this year.

If you need, or are thinking about some therapy/counselling I highly recommend Better Health. I was paired with Murray Harvey who was an excellent support and in now way judgemental.

I’d spoken to The Soul Man to ask Stephen is he knew any hypnotherapists. I was willing to try anything to 1) get my husband back and 2) make myself better. The more I worked on myself, I came to realise I was the most important person and I had to focus on myself, anything else was a bonus. Therefore I started my fortnightly visits to see Tracy at Hello Hypnotherapy (www.tracyuttridgecounselling.com). That trek from Livingston North to Geddes House was a challenge, but my goodness was it worth it. Tracey is amazing. Really supportive, really helpful and I know I would not have improved as quickly as I did without her. If you are curious about trying hypnotherapy I’d recommend it and remember, a hypnotherapist is very different from a hypnotist – never once did Tracy say “when I click my fingers you will…”

My thanks also have to go to the whole team, but mostly Jen at Pointe Ahead Pilates in Edinburgh (www.pointeahead.co.uk). I’ll be honest, I decided to start pilates on 4 January as I thought it was easy…lying on the floor moving about…how difficult could that be for someone overweight and not a fan of exercise. Oh how very wrong I was!! With no home, I had disposable income so mostly did one on one sessions with Jen. Not only does pilates improve your core, balance, stability etc, my goodness does it improve your brain power! I am too busty trying to count and remember my left from my right that no other thoughts can possibly get in there!

To the rest of my family, to my friends, and my colleagues who have picked me up, dusted me off and encouraged me on my way – thank you, thank you! This trip truly would not be possible without you all.