Mental Health and Me
My Story
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Hi. My name is Julian Raithby, I'm a Mental Health First Aider, with a qualification in Counseling Skills. I give presentations on my lived experiences with mental health issues, to give people a better understanding and knowledge of the subject, from a first hand perspective. I wanted to give a talk from an ordinary persons point of view, someone who is still dealing with mental health issues, as a way of showing that there is hope when at times it feels there is none. It's not just for people who may be suffering, but for anyone who wants to have some knowledge to help family members, friends or colleagues.
I've dealt with addiction, depression, suicidal thoughts, anxiety, panic attacks among other things. I soon realised that the key to recovery is understanding that 'you' are the only person who can fix 'you', but with the help from others'.
It's not about a quick fix like a pill from the doctor, but a journey you have to undertake yourself, with as much help as you can get from anyone and any source.
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Booking me for your business is a fantastic way to add to your companies well-being policy too or it might even show how important it is to have mental health first aiders in the workplace. My talk lasts around an hour, 50 minutes of which is me talking, and then people often like to chat and ask questions. I often then get people who attended, asking to talk afterwards as it has given them the courage to step forward and ask for help. It is much more powerful and interactive in person, but it can be given online. Please contact me for fee details which vary due to distance traveled, overnight stays and number of talks required.
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I've given talks to EDF Energy, Nuclear Restoration Services, Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, as well as local businesses and support groups. Their recommendations are below.
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Client Testimonials
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'I have had the privilege of working with Julian in training sessions.
His own talk is engaging, honest and authentic. Julian reflects the challenges that many people face in the context of poor mental health and the power of recovery. He embodies the words of a much more eloquent person than me who said 'you are not your illness. You have an individual story to tell.'
Michael Boaden, Chief Operating Officer of Carlisle Eden MIND.
'Julian was the guest speaker at our Mental Health Buddy Network Meeting in August this year. His talk about his mental health decline and journey of recovery was open, honest and a real eye opener; definitely food for thought for anyone who might think 'this couldn't happen to me.'
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Justine Goff, Mental Health Programme Lead at EDF Energy, Hinkley Point C
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'A big thank you for coming to site and sharing your journey with us all. We had great attendance and received some great feedback, a very worthwhile talk'.
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Kelly Fellowes, Industrial Safety Engineer, EDF Energy, Sizewell B Nuclear Power station.
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“Julian recently provided our company with a talk on mental health and his own real life, lived experiences. The feedback we have received from our staff has been brilliant with several reaching out and opening up about their own experiences and struggles. The talk was informative, very relatable, and very good value for money. I would highly recommend Julian to any business that may be considering this.”
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Jack Battersby, Direcor at Wilkie May & Tuckwood