Nick
It was great to talk to someone who knew exactly how to support me
I have suffered quite seriously with mental health issues in the past and I know how crippling they can be if left to get out of hand. I am sure that this referral, and the sessions, ensured that I did not spiral into a dark place and allowed me the opportunity to go through what was a difficult time and to come out the other side.
*The image used in this case is a representation of our beneficiary to retain his privacy (photo by Alex Blăjan on Unsplash)
Whilst the work the NHS does can be very good it is often difficult to get a referral quickly and this often leads to a further degradation of the mental health problem, an increase in symptoms and the potential to have a much greater impact on the work and personal life and ability to cope and function. The ICE Benevolent Fund made a referral for me to Anxiety UK who organised face-to-face counselling sessions to be made available. The counsellor was excellent and flexible to allow me to attend the sessions and fit them around my work hours. Counselling allowed me to talk through the current issues I was facing but also to look back at anything that I hadn’t really dealt with and to take the necessary actions to look after myself. I am sure that this referral, and the sessions, ensured that I did not spiral into a dark place and allowed me the opportunity to go through what was a difficult time and to come out the other side.
