Charnwood Councillors share their struggles with mental health

Cllrs Robin Popley and Ted Parton wanted to share their experiences to encourage other to seek help if they need it.

Cllr Ted Parton has battled with mental health issues for 20 years and has twice had to stay in psychiatric units.
 
Cllr Parton said: “Many years ago I had to make a choice between ending my life or starting the long and difficult road of recovery. I could not have been any lower.
 
“Fortunately, I chose recovery. I sought help and started taking medication, which I still take today. I found a job, in fact I had three at one point, and I started to exercise more and kept busy.
 
“What also helped me was having a clear purpose, which was one of the reasons I became a councillor. Being in a position of responsibility to help other people really helped me through some difficult times and I find it really helps my mental health today, knowing I am contributing and doing some good for the community and residents.
 
“I am happy to share my story for Mental Health Awareness Week and I strongly encourage people to get help if they need it.”
 
Mental Health Awareness Week is hosted by the Mental Health Foundation and is in its 21st year. It runs May 10-16.
 
This year, the theme for the week is ‘Nature’. Across the country, people will be celebrating the mental health benefits of being around nature in their local community in a range of digital and creative ways.
 
Mark Rowland Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation said: “Since the beginning of the pandemic, millions of us turned to nature to help us get through lockdowns and our research shows that good mental health depends on us being able to connect with nature in some way and its power in both prevention of and recovery from poor mental health.”

You can read more about how Fosse107 are getting involved with mental health awareness week here.