World Mental Health Day - Covid-19

When the pandemic was reaching its first peak earlier this year there was growing evidence that this was, and still is, exacerbating mental health issues in our schools, homes, and workplaces. Rather than just sit back I made it a priority to try and put myself in a better position to promote good mental health and completed three courses to become a Mental Health Ambassador. Whilst a lot of the content overlapped I now have a much better idea on how to manage my own mental health, how to reach out to a colleague or friend in distress and how to work with others to improve and promote better mental health. Being an Ambassador is not the same as a therapist, but it has given me a deeper insight into the causes, symptoms and treatments for various mental health issues, how they are assessed and how they can be supported professionally and empathically. Above all, as a leader be human, be vulnerable and simply ask “are you ok?”