I don’t often write here as myself. Usually, it’s the voice of Keystone, representing the business, promoting the good works of the company. But for Mental Health Awareness Week, I want to speak personally. I didn’t want to draft another polished, self-congratulatory post about our corporate values and wellbeing initiatives. Yes, these are all good and all important; we have mental health awareness posters on the walls, Mental Health First Aiders, wellbeing policies, Staff Appreciation Days…the list goes on. But they mean little without genuine human connection, without an environment where we actually talk to each other.
This week, two moments stood out to me.
The first was at home in my own garden. I’m not a gardener, but I love a garden; the colour, the potential, the growth and the quiet magic of it. Recently, I’ve started creating a new garden of my own. I’ve planned, read, and listened; choosing plants carefully according to aspect and soil conditions. Last weekend, I planted a bed of Hydrangea ‘Strong Annabelle’, chosen for their bold, resilient nature, as well as their blatant beauty when in flower. But after a long day at work, I came home to find them wilting; stems bowed, leaves drooping and generally looking a little sad. It was disheartening. But I gently tended to them (translocation shock is a thing apparently!), and this morning, to my delight, they stand tall again, revived, optimistic and ready to embrace another day.
The second moment happened at work.
A colleague, someone known for their strength, unwavering positivity and support for others, reached out. I heard the words “stress” and “overwhelm,” and I noticed a tiny but telling hint of vulnerability. We went for a lunchtime walk in the sunshine, just talking. They spoke, I listened. I spoke, they listened. Nothing was immediately solved, but when we returned, I felt we’d both achieved something. Like my hydrangeas, there was a sense of recovery, a quiet resilience and renewed sense of purpose returning.
So, my message to fellow Keystoners during Mental Health Foundation Mental Health Awareness Week, where ‘community’ is the theme: If you feel that creeping sense of “I can’t cope” or “I’m struggling,” especially for those in the field as the survey season bites, please reach out within our community. Talk to the person next to you. We are so lucky at Keystone; we have a great team, a strong emerging culture where community is one of our values, and we genuinely like being around each other. But none of that matters if we’re afraid to share when things aren’t right.
Sometimes, we all need a little sunlight, a little space, and human connection.