As we enter week 7 and looking back over the past six weeks, we have continued to promote activity. Why? It’s simple really, it helps with mental health and keeps people focussed during extreme changes to our circumstances.
We have gone through 3 stages to the lockdown, survival, acceptance and growth. During each stage there has been other challenges, parents have had the additional challenges with home schooling along with keeping children occupied. The disconnection of loved ones through various circumstances is a real challenge for everyone. I’m sure our mental health has been fully tested, some will be strong but a lot will suffer long after the pandemic ends, especially if you have suffered prior with pre existing conditions. It’s time not to suffer in silence, yes the NHS has additional work but remain open for day to day care and that includes treating mental health illnesses. I am no expert apart from knowing what depression is like and it takes a lot to accept it, talk about it and move on, honestly though, I used activity as part of my recovery and learnt that I had to open up and speak about it as part of the healing. Running has provided me with head space, chance to reflect and plan my day.
I was privileged to listen to Bill Singh speak at one of our senior leadership meetings about his mental health journey and recovery. Bill is a tutor at the S&W recovery college, a member off the GHC volunteer inclusion team and also has many more attributes. This man is inspiring to listen to, he is honest about recovery, but what Bill shares with his audiences is that there is hope and you can come to terms to accept and manage your illnesses. He has walked the walked and can talk the talk. If you ever get chance to listen to him book a ticket or follow him on twitter.
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| R-L Bill Singh with Chris Lubbe ... (Nelson Mandela’s personal bodyguard) |
Everyone in their life will experience mental health in some shape or form. Have you heard about the black dog theory, checkout the video and you will connect with the theory or understand what people go through.
Have you been keeping a COVID diary? I have been collecting photos of our virtual C25K running group through the WhatsApp group. The chat is great, the comradeship is fantastic and everyone needs to get to the hairdressers when they open. Our challenges have seen members chase post boxes and NHS tributes, it’s different but it keeps us talking to each other.
Over the next few weeks small changes will start to happen with the reduction of current conditions. We might not agree with them but we all have a choice in our actions. Anxiety may start to appear with the next steps but like any soldier returning from operational tours, the physiological impact may not appear for some time. Mental health wounds are not visible, but behaviour change is and it’s about catching it early to support friends and colleagues. It’s now time to keep talking, checking on colleagues, be kind, listen and care. No one is invincible so stay active in mind body and soul, stay safe and keep stepping for your mental health.
