World Mental Health Day 2023
It's World Mental Health Day. A day to raise awareness.
Raising awareness is one thing, but if you're suffering you need to reach out!
There are lots of people who have not suffered from poor mental health and some who like to highlight the fact that they are super tough! Many of us, though have been affected and many can relate their stresses to work.
Just imagine……
If you went to work on Friday and broke your finger, would you go back on Monday knowing there was a strong possibility it would happen again? Say you do and it does happen again! Oh well, it's just two fingers that's not too bad. Perhaps you think to yourself; I need to just toughen up and go again - even though you know what's coming? If you just keep going back, surely you'll learn to cope with it.
Sound stupid?
Well obviously it is and you wouldn't do that! So, why when it comes to mental health, do you just keep going back and doing the same things - even though deep down you know it's causing you harm?
It's time to stand up and demand the respect we all deserve. It's not okay to be thought of (or see ourselves) as bottom of the pile. As an industry, we need action and a plan to right the wrongs we all face on a daily basis.
If you are struggling right now, please seek help.
Take time to deal with it. Talk to someone you trust, take time out for yourself and if it's too much say NO!
It's too easy to hide away from the fact you're struggling until it all gets too much. Break the cycle and help yourself. Here are a few suggestions:
- Support groups - Andy's Man Club, Mind, local charities etc
- Mindfulness - take time to switch your mind off
- Exercise - There are many studies which have shown that doing physical activity can improve mental health. For example, it can help with:
- Better sleep - by making you feel more tired at the end of the day
- Happier moods - physical activity releases feel-good hormones that make you feel better in yourself and give you more energy
- Managing stress, anxiety or intrusive and racing thoughts - doing something physical releases cortisol which helps us manage stress. Being physically active also gives your brain something to focus on and can be a positive coping strategy for difficult times
- Helplines - Shout, Samaritans, Mind, 111 to name a few
- Time off work - Break the cycle and recoup
You are more important than your job. Make sure you put yourself first.