2020 will go down in history as the worse year in living memory. It’s not hard to see why. A global, deadly, cruel pandemic, decimating families and communities and leading to unprecedented... Read more
As someone who lives with depression, I am used to the feeling of dark clouds looming towards me from the horizon. That feeling – sometimes arriving as suddenly as a thunderbolt or as gradually... Read more
IIt remains the most difficult conversation that I regularly have. It almost guarantees tons of tumbleweed and awkwardness. It prompts social embarrassment. It leads to looks of confusion. Dismay.... Read more
When I lecture or blog on mental health and the workplace, I regularly say that managing your own mental health is about making the right choices for you. No matter how good your employer, your boss,... Read more
It is one of those questions you get asked from time to time. Alongside the fantasy lottery win and how you would spend it (happily!); the imaginary famous person dinner party (dead or alive); and... Read more
I was reminded today of a moment that deserved to win the internet. A moment, so funny, so priceless, that it warrants its own category of viral. At least one clip of it has closed up 22 million... Read more
I couldn’t see the wood for the trees, what was staring me in the face or indeed what was at the end of my nose. Not at all. Not even a little bit. Not even a few leaves from the forest. I was... Read more
I am 42 tomorrow; 42 days after the UK was put into lockdown by the Government. I’m sure you’d agreed that nothing says birthday celebration more than a one hour, state-authorised walk and then... Read more
As astute politicians and commentators often tell us, Twitter is not the country. What happens on social media doesn’t always – or perhaps ever – accurately fully reflect the real mood... Read more
Harold Wilson’s famous phrase about seven days being an eternity in the world of Westminster was cruelty paraphrased years later by the writer Neil Shand in reference to John (Selwyn) Gummer, when... Read more
If I had a pound for every time I had written the word ‘unprecedented’ or the phrase ‘extraordinary times’ over the last few weeks I would have enough cash to fund my own toilet roll... Read more
Despite the sunny weather, today has been overcast, dreary and dark. Not here, near the beach in Southport, nestled between the pools of Liver and Black, but inside my head. Inside the head of... Read more
I made a video of the lecture I was due to deliver tomorrow on #resilience at Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) and posted it on YouTube. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, I was forced to... Read more
To paraphrase a saying, two weeks is a very a long time, not just in politics, but in a pandemic. During this last fortnight, the UK – alongside over a quarter of the world’s population... Read more
I feel lucky that I find solace in words. The written word. The spoken word. The sung word. They form a massive part of my life; in good times and bad; when I am happy; when I am sad; when I am... Read more
In my experience, there are two types of doctor. One who enjoys the stimulation of a well-informed patient – someone who has done their research and arrives in the room with Google-sourced... Read more
I absolutely hate going on holiday. Hate it. It’s one of my least favourite activities of the year. Spring, summer, autumn or winter, it makes no difference to me. Whatever time of year; wherever... Read more
It doesn’t take a lifetime of counselling and psychotherapy to help you realise that being bullied at school isn’t good for your mental health. It falls in the category of bears, woods, popes and... Read more
I am old enough to remember Philip Schofield when he only had a broom cupboard and Gordon the Gopher for company. He now commands audiences of millions and all the adulation and fame that goes with... Read more
I’m Ben and I’m struggling at the moment. It feels good to get that off my chest. I have a good idea about what is going on. I know it’s a combination of a tough situation at work; winter/dark... Read more
I have been writing a blog since the summer of 2008. I use it to share my experiences and views on mental health – I had a breakdown in 2014/15 and live with depression and anxiety – and work life balance.
I am passionate about working on my wellbeing and helping others to achieve and maintain the right work life balance and wellbeing approaches for them. My blog – along with my Twitter feed – comes with one health warning – if you read it you may have to hear about some of my other passions – my family, golf, Liverpool FC, communications, the Boston Red Sox, politics, the West Wing, and horse racing!
This blog was previously hosted on Blogspot and now sits here. I am proud to work at Liverpool John Moores University, where I am the Head of Communications. All the views expressed here are mine.