10/10/2026
WMHD 2026 🎗️
This year's theme is "lived experiences heard", it's about sharing experiences and recognising that those who have experienced mental illness are experts in their experience. Meaning we shouldn't just listen to them, we should also directly include these individuals in decision making processes, about policies and practices that affect them
Today, we have been reflecting on life's peaks and troughs. We have been through so many highs and lows together over the past few years, but we realised that our recollection of those events were sometimes quite different. Back in 2019, Bill spent a number of weeks in Oakwood day hospital during a period of being suicidal. Just before then however, we hosted our first ever DRM event, whilst also juggling work, social commitments (including important weddings) and a charity cycle from Buckingham Palace to Windsor Castle. We certainly presented things like we were thriving. Yet it was a really tough time for us both. Bill falling into a deep depression. For Erin, living with and supporting someone who was so unwell, finding it equally challenging and isolating. Looking back, we feel really lucky to have been able to navigate through those times.
It reiterates the importance of continually having conversations about mental health. It makes people feel less isolated. Helps us to advocate for ourselves and others. As Erin said... Mental health does not discriminate. It can affect anyone of us, at any point. Shame thrives in secrecy. Talking helps! It dismantles the negative thoughts we tell ourselves. Dialogue connects us.
Even when things seem bleak and hopeless.
Help is available.
As one famous literary wizard once said:
"Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light" - Albus Dumbledore.
