Let's talk about Mental Health

In my LinkedIn article on 30th May, I asked “What changes are you making to combat the big issues facing mankind and humanity?” I summarised my thoughts in 3 areas:

1. The environment
2. Mankind, and
3. Belonging, a sense of community.

I believe all 3 could be addressed to have an impact on the way we live and the people around us. Under each of the 3 areas I pointed out lots of themes prevalent in today’s society. 

How you consider Mankind is open to your own interpretation. While I acknowledge there are huge levels of poverty and violence around the world, here I am thinking about the impact on our friends, family and colleagues, by thinking about how individual well-being should be addressed for the younger, the older, and those in between - all of us. In my thoughts and based on personal experience, I would like to see changes in attitude and greater support for issues concerning, Mental and Physical Health, End of life care or terminal illness, and Gender Diversity and Youth - equality for all.

Taking Mental Health as a topic for today's article, I have been struck with sad news, over the last year, of the deaths of four people I knew, by suicide. All were male and aged between 33-55, one held a career in financial services, three served in the armed forces (two, soldiers I had served with on operations oversees, and one, a commissioned officer who served with distinction, and went into a city career). All left behind close loved ones in their immediate family, and many friends and former colleagues who were shocked and devastated on hearing the news.

What I have found the hardest is realising I have once been close to all four in the past, and each has inspired me, or helped me to see the world from a different point of view. We shared joy, laughter, experiences and tough situations together. The hard part has been realising that in the final years or months of their lives, I did not have a clue there was a problem, or they did not feel, under the circumstances, able to share any difficulties, to ask me for help.

I am not saying I would be the right person to talk to, but I do think I can help address challenging situations and think through what is being said, ask what is happening, how someone is feeling, and perhaps suggest who might be qualified to help a friend in need. There are many charities ready to support and a GP or the wider NHS is a good start place to start.

I have since learned to understand the warning signs of mental health risk and 5 of these are:

1. A Change in Personality.  If someone is acting like a very different person, or not acting or feeling like themselves, this is a warning sign.

2. Uncharacteristic Anxiety, Anger or Moodiness. Severe changes in emotion are a cause for alarm, especially if they are persistent.

3. Social Withdrawal and Isolation. If an individual is “closing off” socially, cancelling social engagements, or spending too much time alone, this is a serious warning sign of emotional or mental health issues.

4. Lack of Self-Care or Risky Behaviours.  Persons with mental health issues often lose concern over their own health and well-being, engaging in risky behaviours like drinking and drug use. In addition, a lack of hygiene, or lack of concern with appearance, may be indicative of a mental health issue.

5. A Sense of Hopelessness or Feeling Overwhelmed.  Mental health difficulties often cause people to give up – to feel like life is just too hard, or that they will never feel “normal” again.

These warning signs, particularly when occurring together, are an indicator that it is time to take action – for yourself or for others. Realise that you are not alone. Many people, across society and in our communities suffer from mental health issues at one time or another. 

By writing this article, I hope more people can help others when the time comes, and can spot the indicators, and help sign-post a friend to the support needed to start on a new journey of self-preservation.

There are a variety of ways I try to make a difference, and these can be through physical recreation, group activities, meeting-up, enjoying and sharing food or drink, and entertainment. Some of these help build mental resilience, others provide the opportunity to talk, share and discuss what is happening in our busy and sometimes complex lives.

I will be developing my own mental and physical resilience for an upcoming challenge in the mountains, a plan to summit Mont Blanc in 2020. As I walk and climb a little higher I plan to think about and develop my views on this very important topic to gain perspective, and give a thought to my friends who have past away.

You can follow my progress on social media: Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter and via our expedition website. Please follow us and support the journey.

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