Midweek M.I.N.D

Kind of fitting really that my own blog be late and mainly down to my own thoughts and feelings.

I was always going to talk about mental health this week inline with mental health week, yet a lapse in mine mean’t to be honest I just wasn’t feeling it! 

Since the age of 18 I have worked in roles working with people, many of which have been diagnosed mental health illnesses. Yet this week I felt helpless and useless, and completely unmotivated to do anything. 

But now I am here...

I’m not really back to a point I would say I am happy.. but with the help of many people (many of which don’t even know they were of any help) I know I am going in the right direction. 

Those that helped:

Firstly Alistair Hudson, a fellow JSA member. Alistair put a message in the JSAM group outlining his battles and pointing out that we are on a journey. Life is a journey! Everyones journey has bumps in the road but there is always a final destination. Some strong words brought a tear to my eye, while sat in a white van playing to the sterotype! 

Then I came home from work, my daughter 19 months old looks me in the eyes and says “daddy..blah blah blah... “ the rest I didnt understand but it sounded fun! 

My partner Rebecca, knowing things aren’t going well is just reassuring. Checks in and keeps things ticking over. 

Mother hen... this woman has a 6th sense! Just one telephone conversation and she knew things weren’t quite right. So without a prompt she took over conversation. Not hitting the issue head on but instead re-directing thoughts and discussion and generally lifting the mood.

Then tonight as I sit writing this, my son in bed after cuddles and father son time. This kid alwayswarms my heart. He is growing into a fine youngman! 

This order is purely based in timeline of events but none the less everyone has played a part in lifting my mood. 

Yet with all this said I feel an ego about myself to “man up” 

But why??

I read something yesterday from David Flatman, an ex rugby player and maybe this contributes to why....

In my experience, The chat goes like this at rugby

“How much of the game is mental?”

“Oh thats massive, at least 50% of its in the mind”

“How much money do you soend on mental or Psychological preparations of players?”

“Nah, thats bollocks isnt it 🤔

But one thing I do know is that mental health impacts far to many people and leads to such heartbreak...

So everyone should know regardless of gender, age or any other factors..

Its ok to not be ok!

Remember to check in on those around you, that guy you havent heard from in a while.. drop him a text, give him a call. 

Check out https://www.mind.org.uk/ or hit meup on insta @JPBAKES33 I’m always all ears.