Mental Health
by James Allen
Every year, one in four of us will experience a problem with our mental health. Now more than ever, it’s time to shine a light on these issues.
Mental health matters and I’ve been privileged to work on mental health policy issues, primarily in sport, since 2014. I was one of the authors of the Mental Health Charter for Sport and Recreation – launched back in the spring of 2015. This was a highly successful (in fact way more successful than we’d expected or properly resourced) step in bringing together a diverse and disparate sector. It was a sector too with lots of good practice, but lots of poor practice and misunderstanding too.
A big priority for me has always been creating space for a non-judgemental, practical conversation focused not on blame and retrospection, but on progress and looking forward. If I’m honest, this approach has been particularly vital in a sector that I still find amazing and fascinating but also frequently frustrating, over cautious and conservative.
“We are proud to be creating our own culture that values mental health.”
Since founding Counsel, I’ve been delighted to be able to carry on working on these issues. I’ve delivered two significant projects for major national organisations. I’ve been able to apply my training as a Mental Health First Aider. Equally importantly, I’ve been able to give my time and skills on a pro bono basis to community organisations who are doing amazing things – and doing a lot of the heavy lifting – around mental health.
As a business, we are proud to be creating our own culture that values mental health. Work-life balance, flexibility, respectful conversations, checking in with each other frequently (particularly because we don’t share an office) and choosing to work with the people and organisations who share our values is very important. We’ve all seen the good, the bad and the indifferent when it comes to employers and the way they treat mental health. Worst of all, many of us will have experienced those who ‘talk the talk’ around mental health, but don’t follow through with any real action, or even worse exemplify poor behaviour and culture which pays little or no regard to the mental health of those around them. We are determined to be different.
This World Mental Health Day, we wanted to make our own small contribution to tackling these vital issues – issues that people all too often shy away from. I am very proud to be working alongside Rhys, who tells his own story about his mental health journey on the Sidekick podcast below. It’s powerful, insightful and at times very raw. It’s not an easy listen, but it’s an important one for anyone who cares about mental health.
Before you listen, we wanted to warn you that this podcast covers a range of challenging issues including mental health problems, self harm and suicide. If you are affected by any of these issues or want to talk about mental health for any other reason, then services and information are out there. Two places to start are Mind - infoline 0300 123 3393 (Monday-Friday 9am-6pm) or the Samaritans 24/7 - call 116 123.