I believe that there is a conditional barrier preventing men from asking for help. Men are expected to be in control, and failure to be seen as such equals feeling to be weak and not sufficiently masculine. I think that if men felt able to ask for and find help when they need it then hundreds of male suicides could be prevented.
I campaign for both female and men, not just the clients of mine. All of us, at one time or another and regardless of gender, can experience a crisis and so we could all do with support when things get tough, I’m super passionate about spending my energy on preventative interventions so I can support individuals and group of employees before ever reaching moment of crisis. This often presents itself in being unwell and being absent from work which creates more pressure as the employers are still developing and finding appropriate ways of supporting employees who experience mental health difficulties and require holistic wellbeing approaches rather than having a system in place which allows the employees to thrive and self help and express freely, I call it “Onnes at your workplace “
Over 13 years working with major national organisations and local authorities my research shown me that wellbeing of employees is still something can be improve on and I’m super excited to have worked past 9 months with largest and oldest organisation supporting people with Mental Health needs living in community and to have achieved measurable outcomes for service users but also to have increased measurable Mental Health Wellbeing for the employees who have not be exposed to compassionate leadership in action before and whom expectations were to meet the outcome without putting themselves first in order to serve people more effectively.
Super proud to have recieved positive and meaningful feedback from the employees saying that I have brought kindness, balance, empathy and positive energy to working culture leading to external recognition by local stakeholders including the Mayor who have chosen the organisation to become the Mayor’s annual charity of the year.
However if you would ask me what is the single proudest moment ? it would be the feedback of those people ( approx 150 people ) I have served directly and/or indirectly week in and week out helping identifying new outcomes and personal goals and that I have inspired them to think and act differently.
