IT’S BAD enough when you have a stubborn spot, infuriating shellac chip, or a mobile phone currently residing in a bag of rice. But when the reality croupier suddenly deals you a really poor hand in life, what exactly are you supposed to do?

How are you expected to cope and stay calm. Or even upright?

Some time ago, I found myself jogging along beside my exceptionally attractive neighbour. I had it all going on. Rita Ora for Adidas-inspired workout outfit. Perfectly coiffured and sports-appropriate swooshy, glossy ponytail. Handful of Fascinating and witty anecdotes stored in my head, breath mints and Vaseline tinted lip balm tucked in my oxters.

Quite how I found myself a mere twenty minutes later eating gravel, with my limbs twisted and ligaments pulled to smithereens, was both confusing and embarrassing. Through the haze of pain that began to pulsate and throb fiercely over me, I indicated, in no way calmly, that my Casanova in Nikes should probably call an ambulance. Immediately.

It has been, and still is, a long road to recovery I find myself on.

Finding my mobility impaired and a dark cloud settle broodingly upon my mental state has been a shock to my delicate system. My overwhelming thought throughout the whole seemingly never-ending rigmarole of hospital admissions, painful operations, and uncomfortable rehab, has been simply, how do really ill people cope?

I may be temporarily disabled-ish, but I just cannot fathom how those faced with terminal illnesses or personal hardship cope.

What I’m trying to say here is, that if you find yourself no longer worrying about the measurements of your kitchen units, and instead about how much B12 your body can ingest, please don’t give up, or feel you are alone.

Yes, you might when the chips are down, find out who your real friends are, look at the work of medical professionals versus what they’re actually paid, and begin to question your personal and political loyalties more closely. But hope is never lost, even although you might feel you’ve temporarily mislaid your self-esteem and mental capabilities.

So many of us battle depression and ill-health on a daily baisis and just put up with insomnia, anxiety and panic attacks in order to ‘keep going’.

Depression is statistically more common in women than men - 1 in 4 women will require treatment for depression at some time, compared to 1 in 10 men. Females are also are more likely to have been treated for a mental health problem than men (29% compared to 17%), and women are twice as likely to experience anxiety as men. (Of people with phobias or OCD about 60% are female.. But, women are more likely than men to reach out and seek help when they encounter mental health problems – which is actually worrying when you begin to consider the number of men going undiagnosed. It’s important to bethat you’re honest with yourself and your friends when you realise you can’t cope.

There’s no magical blueprint for those who are trying to balance the never-ending demands of lifework, family and aging parents, in a time that puts an individual’s societal status, career ascension and material wealth before their emotional and mental well-being. But there are people and organisations there to help you, if you’re smart enough to reach out before your mind and body give up. Stand up - unless you have a leg injury of course -. and Don’t suffer in silence.

(Whatever issue you’re struggling with, You might want to try some of these help portals, www.mentalhealth.org.uk, www.gov.uk/browse/benefits, http://www.show.scot.nhs.uk, www.moneysupermarket.com ,www.relate.org.uk and www.care2.com.