Life takes you on a journey of ups and downs and as hard as some things can be, sometimes it is really worth embracing the challenge. That can be hard but with determination you really can achieve great things. I'm proud to have evolved Taking Cherries but it wouldn't be what it is without some amazing people. Together we can #tacklethesilence around Mental Health.
I have suffered with depression since I was a teenager. I have now learnt that depression never really goes away, you just have to learn how to manage it.
I have lost two friends to suicide, which has always hung heavy on me, for not being able to help them.
These experiences have led me to do what I can to help others. I have worked with various online groups, assisting with general wellbeing to more serious mental health issues. When I heard that Simon was starting Talking Cherries, I jumped at the chance to help others, while doing one of my favourite things, supporting AFC Bournemouth.
I've known Simon for several years and see and speak to him at home and away games regularly throughout the season, (not recently though) and a while ago he put the idea to me about what he was trying to set out to do. Immediately I said I wanted to be involved as I had a friend who committed suicide a few years ago. I also had someone take an overdose of pills in front of me, losing her baby in the process and I felt that It was something close to my heart and that if we could prevent one or more person from taking their own lives then we have achieved what was initially set out to do, but it was always about the football that got us talking and talking about football is always a good place to start. So that's why I wanted to be involved and get people talking.
I worked as a psychiatric nurse many years ago so have always had an interest in mental health. After qualifying I worked with mentally ill people who had committed serious crimes. A serious life changing back injury saw my life go in a different direction, with new challenges & a different focus. As well as being a lifelong Cherries fan, I'm a retired football referee and a qualified referee coach/mentor and observer. I've been supporting referees mental health for a few years and I'm an advocate for referee mental health. I'm proud to be a part of the Talking Cherries team.
As soon as Simon discussed the idea of Talking Cherries to me, I was keen to get involved. Friends I have met through football have been a real support to me during times when I've struggled with mental health. I'd like to do what I can to give something back to others and make mental health as normal a conservation as who's starting upfront next week. We're much stronger together.
I started supporting AFCB from the age of 6 when my dad used to take me to watch the matches, and I grew the love for the club. I learnt to use my love of the club to focus on and it was an escape from the everyday struggles that I too experienced through mental health.
I've suffered with mental health from an early age (13) following trauma, ill health which resulted with an eating disorder, anxiety and depression. However, as the years went by it became apparent, I also got diagnosed with Bi Polar, PTSD Complex and mild ADHD.
I am a Mental Health First Aider, Qualified in CBT/DBT, Art, Sport and Drama Therapy. What I do as a support worker is pretty unique and I tailor a combination of things dependent on the person I am working with.
Together, Anything Is Possible.
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