To mark World Mental Health Day 2020, I was delighted to be interviewed by colleagues at The British Medical Association (BMA) as they launched their new Mental Health Network. We had a great... 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
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
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
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 the first half of 2015, I was trying to return to work after my breakdown. I didn’t know at the time, but I was still in the midst of it as I started to drag myself into work for a half day here... Read more
I know that I love routine. I am a creature of habit. Repetition is my friend. I take comfort and reassurance from the routines that I have established in my life. They allow me to exert some control... Read more
When I was a little boy, I would join thousands of other children on Mother’s and Father’s Day with the same tedious question: when is it children’s day? “Everyday is children’s day” was... Read more
Everyone is an expert. Everyone has an opinion. Everyone has a view. Some are well-informed, borne from personal experience, including of close family and friends. Some are based on prejudice, fear... Read more
Despite being someone who suffers from depression and anxiety, I consider myself to be fairly robust and resilient. Since my breakdown, I am more aware of my vulnerabilities and am less likely to... Read more
I know the signs. I pick the skin around my thumbs with my index fingers – occasionally biting the newly created scab or hard skin. Sometimes until they bleed when the digging has gone pretty... Read more
Like many people, I have a number of mini-obsessions. Routines. Things that are important to me to do each day – things that you might call little superstitions. One of them relates to my... Read more
At the start of this month I started a diary. A daily account of my mental health. The good. The bad. The indifferent. The highs and lows. The moments of self doubt. The days with a spring in my... Read more
For someone who suffers with depression, life is full of awkward or painful juxtapositions. Times when you are sat in the dark whilst others feel bathed in light. Times when you need an umbrella to... Read more
Please click on the link below to view the slides and hear the audio from my work life balance session at the Liverpool John Moores Professional Services Conference, 27 June 2019.... Read more
No matter how great your employer or boss is – and I am lucky to work for a great organisation and a brilliantly understanding, flexible and progressive manager – your work-life balance... 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. All the views expressed here are mine.