The thinking rider

I am a geek & biker who spends his days working to provide better ways for people to interact with technology, and as often as possible out on the bike. As a biker and a Mental Health First Aider, I have time on rides to reflect on my life and mental health.

I can go back in my memories to my pre teen years up to the current day, and recall some of the episodes I have had and some of the triggers. Some have been serious and lasted considerable time and others just bad days.

The MHFA training has given me the knowledge and confidence to be able to reflect and understand. People say that a % of people have mental health issues. I disagree, I think everybody at some point in their lives have had to deal with their mental health. The level depends on the circumstances and in some cases illness.

It is fairly recent that Mental Health has come into the limelight and many charities have emerged providing support to different areas in society. Even with this, some people and employees do not accept or understand the impact of negative Mental Health (fortunately these are becoming fewer rapidly).

I believe that to be able to provide support to others, you firstly have to understand your own occurrences, and be able to empathise with others; everybody I have trained or worked alongside have this, they provide support by drawing on their own history, experience and knowledge.

It is always better to speak to someone who won’t judge, who won’t criticise, who won’t belittle. In the words of Andy’s Man’s Club “It’s OK to Talk”.

I cannot remember who wrote this, but it is always so relevant:

“I would rather spend my day listening to your troubles than 10 minutes reading your obituary.”

TREVOR WARD