Committing to “be the change” isn’t that hard to do. Actually “BEING THE CHANGE” is.
When I look back over my 25 year career in industry, I know there were times when I could have/ should have been the change and for whatever reason I wasn’t. I know why. At the time I convinced myself it was too hard. Some of my excuses were:
- I’m not senior enough, no one will listen to me
- No one’s interested
- No one cares
- I’ll get into trouble if I take a stand against this
- It’s none of my business, I should keep out of it.
Recognise any of these?
But there is also another side, a much more serious one, particularly when someone is suffering from a mental health issue. When I suffered burn out, I wanted to fight, to do something ANYTHING to stop what was happening to me affecting someone else but I just couldn’t. I was too tired, too emotional, too confused to know what the right thing to do was. For my own personal health and my family, I simply walked away and focussed on myself, getting well again.
That was the right thing to do for me back then.
I have recovered, retrained and now I am ready to “be the change” and take that stand for everyone who simply can’t, for whatever reason.
I’m probably a month too early, but so it doesn’t get lost in all the New Year’s resolutions in January, here are my TOP three commitments that will allow me (Kirsty and Mind & Mission) to “Be the Change”.
- Continue to share my story to show everyone that recovery is possible, sustainable and how life afterwards can be so much more rewarding if we learn from what we have experienced. Sharing my story will also help others admit to their own struggles and seek support before they become overwhelming.
- Build the capability of our business leaders to understand and proactively support mental health in the workplace – it isn’t simply about awareness anymore!
- Work with businesses to show them the tangible benefits, investing in their organisations mental health can provide, financially, reputationally and otherwise. Allowing them to see that it is simply the “right thing to do”.
I am ready to move mountains – toe by toe, step by step! Together with Kirsty – we will succeed.
Louise Scott
