Hello, lovelies! I’m Karolina, but please call me Kay😊, I’m 27. I was born in Warsaw, Poland and moved to the North West, UK when I was 12.
I made this blog (it was just a FB page at the start which actually got deleted, that’s why I moved onto the blog! Current; Facebook page) in November 2015. Back then I was in a really bad place myself but I really wanted to help, educate others on mental health and try to get rid of all the stigma around it.
I have struggled with PTSD and my overall mental health as long as I remember – panic attacks, anxiety, dissociation, self-esteem issues, eating disorders, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, depression, OCD, body dysmorphia, agoraphobia. That’s why I’m so passionate about spreading the mental health awareness and ending the stigma around it. It’s also why I started this blog where people can share their stories MH Stories , I believe that sharing our stories is so powerful!
I’ve always been told that I was too young to have depression or be anxious, that it’s just my hormones, that there’s nothing to be depressed/anxious about.. There is so much of stigma attached to mental health that I tried to ignore my mental health problems for as long as I possibly could. And let’s just say that wasn’t the best thing I did.
This is why I created this blog, to show people that no matter what age, gender or background you’re from, it can affect you (or someone you know)! It’s okay to talk! Your story is so important!
I’m extremely passionate about spreading the mental health awareness, as well as helping people in any way I possibly can and by sharing my and many others story on this blog.
There isn’t a certain look to us who live with mental illnesses.
Follow me on my personal accounts: Instagram, Twitter, blog
Podcasts/Radio shows I’ve been on:
Chrissie’s: Mental Health Matters
Mike’s Open Journal : Discussion time (part 1) & (part 2), Kay returns (part 1) & (part 2), Casual Chat
Tiffany’s: Moments of Clarity
BBC 4 Women’s Hour: Mental health, Instagram & the online community (skip to 27 mins for my interview)
Planet A (podcast): Fill up YOUR tank, before you fill others (spoke about mental health, MH Stories, my recovery and journey with veganism and sustainable living)
BBC World Service Radio: Mental health and Body Image (skip to 18 mins for my interview)
Featured on:
Defying mental illness, Sharing my story
Domestic Violence UK, My life matters; The Mutual Support Magazine
Daily Focal, Inspirational women
John’s Road To Volunteering, Community champions
The Every Body Beauty Standard, Reinventing beauty standards
Blue Jay of Happiness, Inspiring people to follow on social media
Cornerstone Recovery Center, Top 10 Recovery Blogs
Glamour magazine, The 8 kindest people on Instagram
Mental Health Bites, UK Blog Awards Debrief
The Wandering Mermaids, Wandering mermaid
Teen Vogue, Instagrammers open up about MH posts
HuffPost UK, 7 Instagram Accounts Inspiring Better Mental Health
Strut by Mic, Instagram feature
Yahoo Style, Woman Wears a Bikini for the First Time in 10 Years
Today.com, Woman wears her 1st bikini in 10 years
London Evening Standard, The inspirational young people you should follow on IG
BBC 4, Woman’s Hour, Mental health, Instagram & the online community interview
Powerful.tv, Body Positivity
SELF, Body-Positive Videos That Will Make You Wanna Get Up and Shake It
The Guardian, How should the government overhaul mental health laws?
HuffPost UK, 7 Body-Positive Instagram Accounts To Follow For A Confidence Boost
Nicole’s Journey, Strength & Recovery
Glamour magazine, Instagrammers are sharing their mental health journeys in the most empowering way
Instagram, Featured post/interview
Innerstand, Mental health collaboration
Happiful Magazine, Embracing my True Self
Home Of Juniper, The Importance of Self Love
BBC Newsbeat, Girls admitted to hospital for self-harming nearly doubles
BBC News, Interview/Segment on Mental Health & Self Harm
BBC World News, Live Interview on Mental Health & Self Harm
BBC News, ‘How Instagram became my support system’
Club Mental, Digital cover of the month
*Founder of MH Stories – UK Blog Awards Highly Commended blog 2017 & Winner of the Health and Social Care business category in 2018
*Founder of Healing Journey
Northern Blog Awards Finalist
Sun’s Fabulous Magazine Nominated for Mental Health Influencer award 2020 & 2021
UK Blog Awards Finalist in Mental Health category
Self Love + Mindset Coach
Work with me, email- kayska@yahoo.co.uk
Yes, Kay, it is a great thing that you are doing. I found great cathartic relief when I took this same journey many years ago. It has led me to getting the help needed, recovering from my issues, and starting a company to help others. I also wrote a book chronicling my challenges called “A Ladder In The Dark: My journey from bullying to self-awareness.
Mental health issues make us feel alone and embarrassed. But there is no need and the stigma of what once was needs to be broken. Many of us can recovery with a belief we can, a patience to do so, and learning how to cope with our issues. Some of us won’t be so lucky to fully recover, but can manage their illness. We are all one community and none of us are alone. If I have learned nothing else, it is that and it is always for us to remember.
“Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is mystery. Today is a gift. And that is why it is called ‘the present'” ~Eleanor Roosevelt.
Great job Kay! I love that you’re taking care of yourself and helping others in the process. Very inspiring ☺
Suffer in silence like so many before, run run run away. The next time you meet someone and say, how you doing, ask them again and look them in the eye. You will be surprised how many people need just a few words to open up.
I am so happy I found out about your blog! Congratulations on winning UK BLOG AWARDS! So well deserved, you are doing a wonderful job of spreading awareness of mental health!