World Mental Health Day 2020: FR Office Manager Danielle opens up about her own mental health experiences
I feel like now more than ever Mental Health Awareness is something that needs to be discussed, with World Mental Health Day approaching on the 10th October, I thought this would be a great opportunity to share my personal experience and views (which is something I would not have even dreamed about doing a year or so ago!) and also open a discussion on your thoughts and experiences too! I know there are a lot of blogs, podcasts etc around Mental Health, so thanks for taking the time to read mine!
So, I’ve always been one of those people for as long as I can remember that just doesn’t like talking about how they are feeling, I just hide it with “I’m fine” and keep it moving.
The reality being, I’m not fine... I just don’t feel comfortable talking about it and there’s many reasons for this. I also used to struggle with social anxiety (and occasionally do now) whereby, going to new places/crowded places on my own, meeting new people, dating etc was just all too daunting for me and I’d end up talking myself out of doing these kind of things.
For ages I thought it was just me, but then few people mentioned these same issues in conversations with me, as something that they struggled with. It took some time, but I began to realise that it’s normal to feel the anxious about certain things, but it shouldn’t stop you living your life! The more you bottle up, the worse you are going to feel. Remember, your Friends and Family are your support system just as you are theirs!
Everyone that knows me knows I am a gym bunny! It’s my time of the day where I can just be in my own little zone – it gives you a great sense of wellbeing & after each workout I feel like I can take on the world! I’m not saying everyone needs to be a super fitness freak, but even just some light exercise – a walk, bike ride, Zumba (whatever’s your ‘thing!’) – will definitely have a positive impact on you physically and mentally.
Years ago, there wasn’t really any talk around Mental Health Awareness and very limited support.I love that in today’s society, it’s becoming more of an open discussion and there are lots more available options and places to turn to for support.
I joined Forward Role in August 2019, on my first day I very nearly didn’t even go because I was just so anxious about being in a completely new environment after being in my previous job for 6 years. As soon as I joined, I felt so welcome, so comfortable and over time I have built some relationships whereby I feel like I can openly discuss how I am feeling with no judgement. The support at Forward Role is something I haven’t experienced at any other employer before, every employee has access to Private Healthcare which includes a counselling service, which is completely confidential! There is also an ‘open door’ policy with management and our MD Brian Johnson goes above and beyond to support us, which as an employee, makes you feel a sense of comfort.
We collectively nominated Manchester Mind as our chosen charity for this year, this is a charity that does some amazing work and we all felt so strongly about. We recently completed a fitness day to raise money for them, check out the video over on our @forwardrole Instagram and we are really looking forward to working with them over the coming years!
No matter how big or small you think your problem is, talk! There are so many charities and support systems out there, utilise them! Don’t get me wrong, it’s not easy to do and I still at times struggle… but one thing for sure is that you feel much better if you don’t hold it all in!
Danielle Secker is Executive Assistant & Office Manager at Forward Role, find out more about her here
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