Finding Strength: Dan and Greg’s Journeys of Resilience and Mental Wellbeing

Dan's Story

"Sometimes, life gets heavy. You feel like you’re carrying a weight you can’t put down. For me, that was last year. I was struggling, and my mental health took a serious hit. Depression and anxiety crept into my daily life until one day, it felt like too much. Looking back now, I’m so grateful that I reached out for help – because without it, I don’t know where I’d be today.

My team noticed I wasn’t myself and suggested I contact our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP). It took a lot of courage to finally pick up the phone. On the other end, I found someone who listened – really listened – and offered support without judgement. There’s something comforting about talking to someone who doesn’t know your story yet but wants to help you create a better one.

That call marked the start of my journey. I began therapy sessions through our Aviva Digicare platform. I knew I couldn’t fix things overnight and it was going to be a process. I’d never really taken sick leave in my 24 years at BaxterStorey, but during this time I had to step back from the job I love. The support of my team and manager was incredible. They made it okay for me to prioritise my wellbeing and take the time I needed.

At first, I couldn’t find joy in anything but through therapy, I learned the importance of gratitude. These were small steps I took to help me regain my sense of control. I also found talking – really talking – helped me. It’s so important to check in with people, not just to chat, but to listen.

These days, I’m in a much better place. I wake up each morning and cycle 20 kilometres, an activity I got into through a work charity initiative with Springboard. I’ve also started volunteering at organisations like the CRUMBS Project and Café Dome. Giving back while meeting people from different walks of life always leaves me feeling happier and fulfilled. It’s an incredible way to boost your wellbeing while making a positive impact.

Taking the first step is hard, but it’s worth it. Our wellbeing isn’t something that can wait. It needs to be on every agenda, conversation and in our daily check-ins with each other. Taking care of yourself should be a priority. I continue therapy and stay connected with the people around me. Find what works for you, whether it’s cycling or journaling. Sometimes it just starts with a conversation."

Greg’s story

"When I was first diagnosed with lymphoma at the end of 2022, my world was turned upside down. In an instant, life became a whirlwind of doctor’s appointments, treatments and a suffocating sense of uncertainty. After six gruelling months of chemotherapy, I thought the hardest part was behind me. In reality, it was just the start of a new battle, and it took a real toll on my mental health. The worry didn’t leave when treatment ended. Instead, it morphed into a constant nagging fear about the future.

I wasn’t handling it well. For a while, I kept most of my feelings bottled up. There’s this expectation that you should be strong in the face of illness. But the truth is, at the time, I felt anything but strong. It took me sometime to realise that I couldn’t push through this on my own. I needed help. And I was lucky to have an incredible support system around me. My family, friends and team were there every step of the way offering reassurance when I couldn’t find it myself. Even with all the support, I still struggled. When I returned to work after treatment, I wasn’t the same person who had left. I wasn’t physically as strong as I was, and anxiety really affected my mood and ability to concentrate. I decided to finally take action and see a psychiatrist, who helped propel me into the right path and I’ve been able to manage my anxiety and give me the space to start healing.

I also turned to meditation as a way to centre myself. Even taking 30 seconds to close my eyes to focus on my breath work can make such a difference to my day and mindset.

A big part of my mental health journey has been learning to accept what’s happened. Lymphoma will always be part of my story, and there’s no guarantee that things will go back to the way it was. I may never feel exactly like the person I was before my diagnosis. And that’s okay. Accepting where I am now has allowed me to focus on the things I can control.

If there’s one message I want to share, especially for World Mental Health Day, it’s that mental health is just as important as physical health. It’s easy to neglect it, especially when you’re dealing with a physical illness. But taking care of my mind has been just as crucial to my recovery as the treatment was for my body. We all face challenges – some big, some small – but we don’t have to go through them alone. Sharing my story is a way to remind myself of that, and maybe it can help someone else who may be feeling the same."

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