Tag: Community

Whatever You Grow, Will Save A Bro!

I’m a man and no less of a man for admitting ‘I’m not okay’ and for openly talking about the constant struggle and battle I face with myself every single day.

Joe Plumb

To begin, I’d like to share some important yet harrowing statistics. Men die on average 5 years earlier than women. 75% of suicides in the UK are male. Approximately one man every minute globally is lost to suicide. More than 1.4 million men worlwide are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year; 10.8 million are currently living with the illness. Testicular cancer is the most common cancer amongst men aged between 15 and 39. While I know that’s plenty of information to digest in such a short space of time, I’m sure we can both agree that’s all fairly shocking right? Whether you’re striving for a world where more men can speak about their mental health, and receive the approriate treatment, you’ve faced cancer yourself or you’re aiming for a world where more men can survive a diagnoses and live a meaningful, fulfilled life, there are so many ways you can support the movement that is revolutionsing the way we think and act on men’s health issues.

Now we know a small snippet of the huge problems men continue to face, I thought it’d be useful to discuss some of the biggest aims and projects that the Movember charity has created to address such problems. Since its inception in 2003, an idea that started over a quiet beer between founders Travis Garone and Luke Slattery in Melbourne, Australia, this ever-growing movement has funded over 1250 men’s health projects, recruited approximately 6.5 million ‘Mo bros and sisters’ and reached over 20 countries including the UK, USA, Spain, France, South Africa, Germany, Canada, Singapore and Hong Kong. Not bad for something that was thought up over an informal chat in a bar right? And the great thing is they’re only just getting started.

In doing what others are not, uniting leading experts, listening to communities and advocating for what men really want, we can look forward to a future where vital research is advanced and more men can access quality and appropriate treatment when necessary. We cannot afford to leave people behind!

Even amongst the huge challenges and serious dire consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, whether that be physically, mentally, socially or financially, Movember maintained a relentless commitment to men’s health and announced the funding of 34 separate projects that will work to support the mental health and wellbeing of men and boys. Not only that- and arguably more importantly- they decided to launch a mass media ‘behaviour change’ campaign aimed at encouraging millions more young men to talk about their mental health.

As someone who’s struggled with anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts for a number of years now, almost on a daily basis, I can definitely see the huge positive strides we’ve taken across society in the way we view and treat mental health problems. However the fight is not over. Far from it in fact. Campaigns and projects like ones introduced by Movember, amongst other charities, are a giant step in the right direction though. The more we pull together and recognise the changes that need to be made, the better the lives of men/boys in the long term. It’s easy to sit there and think you can’t make a difference, probably because we often think only as individuals, however this charity is living proof of what can be achieved when we establish clear goals and a sense of community! No matter who you are or where you come from, you can get on board with this movement, or be impacted by the issues Movember seeks to reduce. And the great thing is you’re not alone in the battle! Alone we can do little; together we can do so much…

If you wish to donate to my personal or team fundraising page, laugh at my terrible attempt at growing a moustache, or simply find out more about the life-changing work Movember continues to achieve, please visit the links below. Oh, and why not grow a moustache yourself or take on a challenge of your own? You’ve nothing to lose! There are so many cool and inventive ways you can get involved!

Day 4 of 30

https://uk.movember.com/?home

https://uk.movember.com/mospace/14694811

https://uk.movember.com/team/2416562?fbclid=IwAR2QQqkVeKNRlL-pxw8GYyOrxcfEYhX7dCusc_oD5vWO7YtuhBoBWZBWel4

Thanks for reading,

Adam

Adam HowardLeave a comment

UK National Volunteers’ Week 2020

We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.

Winston Churchill

But what do you get out of it? Surely it’s just a waste of time no? Wouldn’t it be better to get paid for doing something you enjoy? You can’t be doing this all your life (they say in a patronising, condescending tone). While the statistics clearly show that the current generation of people are spending more of their time volunteering than ever before, providing valuable support and huge kindness to various industries like healthcare and education, it must be said that the negative statements listed above are still very much commonplace for many people invested in the voluntary sector. I myself have received similar criticism, therefore I wanted to highlight the benefits that being involved in such activities can bring. Whoever you are or whatever you’re interested in.

When I first encountered the volunteer world back in March 2017, I was certainly at a crossroads in my life. With a lack of direction and no idea how I wanted to progress, I came across an organisation called URPotential in Blackpool. Providing support to local people via community groups, classes and teaching people valuable skills like the use of IT for job-hunting, I firmly enjoyed the aspect of meeting new people (both staff and people coming in) and gaining an insight into some of the great things they did as an organisation to make a difference, help others and give people’s lives a genuine, much needed and deserved boost. For the first time in a while, I felt a sense of passion and belonging. And all that was down to the power of voluntary work.

In the months prior to starting here, I was suffering from severe bouts of depression, increasing levels of anxiety and various other things, however just by getting involved in URPotential I noticed a significant change in my moods and behaviours. Had I shied away from this opportunity, it is quiet possible that the experiences I had to come would never have happened. Yes I was extremely nervous going in, yet the structure and routine it provided me set me on a path that I could work from. No fancy, lavish pay check was needed for that.

Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves.

James Matthew Barrie

Having finished my role as a volunteer at URPotential in early 2017, to begin a traineeship at college, it wasn’t until March 2018 when my next stint as a volunteer could come about. If you’ve been a reader of my blogs for a long period of time, you’ll probably have seen my previous posts about the Time to Change movement and Mind. As I look back at beginning my campaigning in the mental health sector roughly 2 years on now, I’d have to say that it has produced some of the most rewarding, incredible experiences I’ve ever had. And for that I feel very fortunate and privileged. I certainly didn’t envisage standing up in front of large audiences sharing my mental health story, doing events nationwide or being invited to do radio interviews etc. Not in a million years did I believe I’d develop the confidence to do such things!

While the notion of helping and making a difference to other people’s lives through these sort of activities is a fantastic achievement, the sense of enrichment and fulfillment it gives to you personally is the icing on the cake. You may step into volunteering with the idea of keeping busy, having structure and possibly helping a few people along the way, however the biggest surprise to me was just how brilliant it felt to make a difference to others, and the fact it helped me fight my own demons hugely too. It can be very easy to suppress rather than express our emotions when life becomes challenging, yet through volunteering I realised just how valuable storytelling and being open with my feelings has been. And the outcome could be the same for you!

Although it’s distinctly possible that you may encounter critics (as I mentioned at the start), the important thing to remember is that you should do what is best for your own development. Not what is expected of or what somebody else wants- that will only leave you feeling restricted and resentful. Whether you want to help on the frontline during the lockdown, support the elderly by buying food supplies, or perhaps become a listener on a mental health helpline, I’d 100% encourage you to get involved.

After all what’s the harm in trying? The chances are that you’ll enjoy it way more than you first imagined, and meet plenty of inspirational people along the way. My experiences are testament to that!

Visit the links below for more details 🙂

https://volunteeringmatters.org.uk/

https://do-it.org/

Thanks for reading,

Adam

Adam HowardLeave a comment

Why I’m So Proud To Be A Time To Change Young Champion

Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much.

Helen Keller

So here I am reflecting on another incredible and inspiring Time to Change young champions event in London just last weekend. There’s no exaggeration in that statement either.

I know I’ve discussed my journey with the Time to Change in some length before, but for those who are unsure of what it is or how I became involved, I’ll give a brief insight. If we rewind to March 2018, practically 2 years to the day, I was scrolling through some tweets (as you do) and I came across a link to a website from a fantastic blogger/campaigner. And yes you guessed it, that website was Time to Change. Intrigued by what I saw, I took a read through the pages of the site, encountering blogs, videos, resources- amongst much more- and from that moment on I was adamant that it was something very well suited to me.

After becoming a champion after signing-up on the website and establishing myself as an active campaigner locally, only a matter of months later I had the opportunity of applying to be a young champion on a programme designated to 16-25 year olds with first-hand experience of mental health issues who were looking to reduce mental health related stigma and discrimination across society. While in the back of my mind I genuinely believed I had the qualities to be accepted, flickers of self-doubt lingered and I started to wonder whether it’d be another missed chance. To my sheer delight however, I was accepted and left ecstatic with a ‘congratulations email’, and from that point on I haven’t looked back.

I know in all walks of life people talk about one particular experience, person or event changing the course of their life, yet it can be hard to fathom, but I can unquestionably say that Time to Change as a community/campaign has brought me immense joy in a period of also massive darkness. By engaging in events, public talks, training, and whatever other brilliant activities I’ve participated in, I’ve met the most incredible, kind and understanding people, done things I never in my wildest dreams thought I was capable of, gained a renewed sense of self-confidence and even got to a place where I now know what I want to do with my life. Both personally and professionally. This may come across cringy (actually definitely will), but I believe I’ve found my purpose. That purpose being to become happy and support others going through similar hardships as I have.

Though going back to July 2018, in the run-up to our first young champions training session, I was petrified and considered backing out to avoid potential embarrassment, I’m beyond happy that I told myself no and forced my body into that room full of people. And the event I mentioned at the beginning, coming together as a unit, celebrating our successes and discussing what we can do to improve, was testament to that. Yes the build-up to that first training was nerve-wracking, yes I was hugely scared, yet what I’ve realised is if I hadn’t gone I’d have missed out on many opportunities to better myself. To broaden my horizons. To do things I enjoy. And most vitally, meet people who accept me for me. All my life I’ll admit it’s been very hard to make friends and meet people I click with, however TTC has not only enabled me to develop my courage, but also allowed me to meet people I wouldn’t usually meet and make lifelong friendships. For that I’ll always be grateful!

If you like I was are at a ‘crossroads’ in your life, not really knowing how, when or even what you want to achieve, I urge you to find something that makes you truly happy. Although I’d certainly recommend the Time to Change movement and working as a campaigner to change attitudes to mental health specifically, I want to reiterate that it’s about finding what works for you. If you go into something and aren’t fully invested, do something else that does ‘fuel your fire’ and provides a deep sense of passion. It may feel like you’re backed into a corner or you simply have to do something, but nothing we do is worth our own happiness. Finding something you love, like I have campaigning with TTC, is one of the most rewarding feelings ever. Trust me on that!

#TTCCELEBR8 #TTCYoungChamps #TimeToTalk

Thanks for reading,

Adam

Adam HowardLeave a comment

Why I’ve Applied For Campaign Bootcamp

Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

In a world of rising chaos, extreme divisions and persistent change, one could definitely argue that the need for people standing up for what they believe in, working together and striving for positive change is more vital than ever before. Whether it be the topic of mental health as I’ve avidly campaigned around the last few years, or any other issue across society (e.g. hate crime, climate change, abortion), it’s vital that we as human beings are able to express opinions that represent our values and speak up for those most vulnerable without the innate fear of ridicule, hatred or embarrassment. While to some a particular opinion may be less heard of or perhaps considered irrelevant, what we should remember is that each person’s life experiences are unique to them. Just because you or anybody close to you hasn’t been affected by such an issue, that doesn’t mean that somebody else shouldn’t stand tall and fight to eradicate potential injustices. Yes mistakes are part and parcel of everyday life and everybody makes them, however if they are made, it’s great that people can come together and try their very best to move the world forward and make it a better place. A world where people are not disadvantaged for their race, colour, sexuality, gender, faith or mental/physical ill health. A big ask, but a man can dream right?

When I recently discovered that a thing called ‘Campaign Bootcamp’ existed during a training session with Time to Change, there was no question that I would do everything I could to get involved. From taking the time to browse through their website, it was intriguing to find out that they hold a week-long residential in London approximately 2-3 times per year- the next one being May 2020.

Bringing together 35 campaigners of various ages, sectors and backgrounds, taught by fantastic facilitators and expert trainers from a variety of campaign fields,often with their personal experiences of the bootcamp, the clear aims of the week are to improve confidence and team work in delivering a chosen campaign message, better understand strategies/methods which will make a piece of campaign work more effective, learn how to engage with people through a number of mediums such as social media and events, in addition to equipping us with the necessary skills to put a range of ideas into practice. Simply due to my own passion for mental health campaigning and trying to create and sustain a positive impact, I know firsthand just how difficult it can be to put certain thoughts/ideas into action, therefore I’m hungry to increase my skill set and become a far better campaigner. Not only that but I would have the chance to meet so many other like-minded people too! It’s not too often opportunities like this turn up, so why on earth would I turn down the chance to apply?

If you like me are a passionate campaigner, with a hunger to make a difference, and are based in the UK, I urge you to head straight over to the links attached below. Initially I was worried about the possible expenses should I attend, however information around scholarships and whether you could be eligible for one can also be found on the website. Rest assured that the Campaign Bootcamp places huge emphasis on providing equal opportunities!

https://campaignbootcamp.org/bootcamps/bootcamp-18/ https://campaignbootcamp.org/bootcamps/bootcamp-19/

For all those people out there who dedicate so much of their time to campaigning, I want to say a massive thank you. Without you I myself wouldn’t have discovered the enjoyment, power and impact of campaigning, and most importantly, you are playing a significant part in making our world a better, safer and more accepting environment. That should never be underestimated!

P.S. The deadline for applications is 9am on Tuesday 10th March 2020.

Best of luck if you end up applying- my fingers are crossed!

Thanks for reading,

Adam

Adam HowardLeave a comment

World Mental Health Day 2019 Reflection

It always seems impossible until it’s done.

Nelson Mandela

While another World Mental Health Day has now been and gone, not to mention the sheer passion, motivation and hard work that comes with it, part of me wishes that every day of the year was a marked mental health day. That the immense spotlight and focus placed on mental health on the 10th of October every year could be stretched to the other 364 days too. The progress we are making in shifting negative attitudes and encouraging conversations around the topic is undoubted, but I’d love more than anything for people to share the same sentiments on ‘non-special occasions’. Not just when the media latches onto the debate, or when celebrities litter their social media platform with positive quotes and messages. I for one cannot praise enough the introduction of days such as Time to Talk Day, WMHD, MHAW etc for highlighting key issues and the importance around mental health discussion, however, we should be aware that conversations should not be restricted to certain days. As cliche or obvious that sounds!

On World Mental Health day itself, I was fortunate enough to be involved with an event alongside some of my North-West Time to Change Campaign Group, as well as our co-ordinator Florence and another staff member called Simon. The event, entitled ‘The Virtual Library’, was staged at The Foundation Coffee House in the Northern Quarter of Manchester. Running from 11am-2.30pm, the purpose of setting up shop in this venue was to promote WMHD, the activities of Time to Change, share our very ‘human library’ featuring recordings of people sharing their mental health stories, not to mention encourage a number of great conversations around the topic of mental health. In preparation for the event, I was also tasked with the job of producing our event poster, as well as my own recordings for the virtual library mentioned above. Based on a variety of mental health topics, such as stigma and personal experiences, my recordings lasted between roughly 40 and 70 seconds. Should you want to listen, these are attached below:

Although the success of the actual event was not as great as I’d hoped nor anticipated, simply because many of the customers were busy doing work and did not possess the time to have in-depth conversations, the fact that a good group of us joined together in this venue for a few hours on the day meant our presence was not unworthy. As I say conversations were limited, however even if people walking in and out of the coffee house acknowledge our presence, noticed our reasons for being there, or collected some of the brilliant Time to Change resources available, I have faith that we will still have made a substantial impact. It’s easy to expect too much or want an event to run smoothly and perfectly, nevertheless, I’m determined to improve this and take each activity as it comes. Some things go good, others go bad. That’s just part and parcel of the world we live in; especially with sensitive issues such as mental health. A small difference is better than no difference. Bit by bit we are making progress- this is what we need to remember!

Finally, if you’re reading this and perhaps are slightly unsure about how to approach a conversation related to mental health, my advice would be to keep it simple. The majority of us are not trained professionals with the skills to medically support somebody with a mental health problem, however, what most of us do have is the ability to listen and be empathetic. Do not judge. Whether it’s a work colleague, friend, family member, neighbour or even a stranger, it’s important not to forget that everybody has their own struggles. No matter who they are or what their background is. You don’t have to be an expert to lend a helping hand!

P.S  If you’re any need of any useful further advice/help, check out my support page 🙂

#TimeToTalk #EndTheStigma #WMHD2019

Thanks for reading,

Adam

Adam Howard2 Comments
Advertisements
Create a website or blog at WordPress.com
%d bloggers like this: