Fighting mental illness

Sam and Shaka from Art Comes First

Many times social media can make you feel like things in your life just aren’t as good as someone else’s. That everything seems perfect for others, the dream job, they travel often and never have a worry to care about. But it’s important to remember that just like you they are human, and they too will have their own problems and worries they are dealing with.

“I had my highs and lows sometimes”

We caught up with Sam Lambert from Art Comes First to chat about mental illness. From collaborating with the likes of Fred Perry to jetting between L.A. and Paris, UK and Marrakesh, many would be forgiven for assuming life for the self-confessed modern-day gypsy is nothing but bliss.

“I had my highs and lows sometimes,” Sam told us. “From the time I decided to become an artist. We as artists put so much out there physically and mentally is normal that it causes some sort of disturbance to your mind. Every artist does go through that some point or another.”

It doesn’t matter who you are, there are things that affect everyone, even if they don’t make it known. What’s important is to surround yourself with people you hold close that can help you through. “It’s not really for everyone to know, who knows knows. But I’m lucky for having a great support system, my family.” Sam said.

“Speak out, act towards it, seek help, talk to your close ones”

Often men face an issue of opening up, feeling like they can’t. “I think is the way we been brought up, being the man of the house you can’t let your guards down,” Sam said about it. But it’s important that we do. “Speak out, act towards it, seek help, talk to your close ones. Most important don’t be ashamed about it, happen to the best of us.”

Surrounding yourself with people and things you enjoy is important to managing your mental health.

If you are struggling mentally speak to a close one, a friend, family member, a neighbour. Or contact your local service, like Samaritans. You are not alone and together we can fight mental illness.