A reflection on the impact of heritage interactions on mental health from a member of our Youth Forum.
In a time when I was lost, lonely and struggling to understand the world, the one constant, permanent and unchanging reassurance I had was my heritage. As I sunk into a deeper depression I took comfort in tradition and soon began to understand my identity. Understanding my heritage was important in rebuilding myself. I needed to connect to my environment and understand it and in doing so it relieved my stress. I live in Edinburgh and I feel lucky to have access to history in abundance. When I visit historical sites, I feel like I exist. It elicits curiosity and an escape from the complex mental health problems that impact my life in unpredictable ways. Heritage for me means continuity. I needed consistency. I took comfort in tradition and I valued the solace it gave me. When I visit museums I feel calm and relaxed and as a result I feel less stressed. It allows me to recall my childhood and evoke happy memories. It can transform my mental health on difficult days.
Visiting historical sites is one of the most profound experiences. It brings happiness, a reassurance, that no matter what I always have my identity. My mental health problems are relieved when I connect to my environment and I feel relaxed and full of childlike wonder which I think we lose as we develop and become consumed by the day to day stresses of life. Recovering from past trauma has been challenging for me but being in historic environments where positive memories are evoked has enhanced my recovery. Visiting a world heritage site can be life affirming. When I visit the forth road bridge, I feel connected to the place I call home. I reflect now on when that pride and comfort began and I think it’s that time when you develop into adulthood and are looking for a constant, permanent comfort among the chaos of growing up.
Our heritage, in an ever changing and dynamic world is something we all should have access to. As long as we have heritage, we have a tangible link to the past and everyone should have access to the places that make up our place. Our connection to our people and our place is crucial in understanding how we can all relate to each other and have a common understanding. It’s a sense of community which I value. As far as I’m concerned if we all share it, we should all have access to it. Museums for example. It’s important that they are free so there’s no barrier to our history.
When people come to visit Edinburgh, They come to enjoy our history and understand our traditions and our people. As a volunteer and as a visitor, I see the enthusiasm from people and it brings me happiness to communicate and connect with them. I love interacting with people. It makes me feel less lonely. When I see their expressions in the small interactions I have with them whether they are asking for directions or engaging in simple conversation about a local attraction, I feel proud. It’s like there’s community again. I suffered from a sense of inherent loneliness due to the mental health problems I had and it really is small things that make a big difference. We can all foster connection and I cherish these small interactions when I’m volunteering. My heritage has allowed me to feel and when I’m communicating with people I can express that joy. If you want to explore your own heritage consider volunteering or visiting historical sites locally and be open to the effect it can have on you. Connect to your history. For me it has been transformative.
Written by Heritage Network Youth Forum member Melissa
