Q&A WITH CEO JAMES DUNCAN | MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK: DAY THREE | IN COLLABORATION WITH CUMBRIA, NORTHUMBERLAND, TYNE & WEAR NHS FOUNDATION TRUST

 

Welcome to Day Three of Mental Health Awareness Week, today I’m collaborating with my local NHS mental health Trust: Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW). A while ago, the previous CEO; John Lawlor, retired and now James Duncan is overseeing the Trust, so we had a meeting and I asked him a few questions on loneliness and how the Trust are supporting those who struggle with it. I also thought it’d be kind of good to see what my – as an ex-service user – answers would be to the same questions…

James’ Answers

Can you list five of the most important people in your life?

1. My wife, Dena

2. My 3 boys      

3. My Mam, Dad, brothers, and sisters

4. My Grandpa – huge influence on my life just by being him

5. My friends

Have you ever felt lonely?

I don’t think I’ve felt lonely. I have felt alone – as though no one can help or no one can understand. I think there’s a difference between being lonely and being alone… maybe that’s just me…?

If not, why not?

I’ve never felt lonely because I’ve always been lucky to be surrounded by people who I care about and who care about me.

If so, how did you cope?

I felt alone more when I was young – I had a lot of anxiety as a kid. I learned a way of moving on (I call it my F-it moment). It’s stood me in good stead since. I’ve still felt some of those moments from time to time (I think we all do) but I can shake myself down and remind myself of everything that is good around me. And on occasions when that’s been harder, I’ve had some brilliant people to talk to.

How do you think CNTW help people who are struggling loneliness?

We have people who listen and people who really care, and we understand loneliness and its impact. But we can do so much more. We can make it easier for our people to give their time and we can work better with other organisations to reach out to those who need to know that someone is there for them. I think the recovery colleges we work with are brilliant and have provided a great place for people to be and belong. And I think peer support is changing our world.

What one piece of advice would you give to someone who’s feeling lonely?

Reach out, talk, take the first step.

My Answers

Can you list five of the most important people in your life?

1. My Mum        

2. Emmy & Luna (my pets)

3. My Aunt                         

4. The children in my life (Jonas, Emmy, Kasper, Magnus and Greylan)

5. My best-friends: Lauren, Ellie, Sophie, Marty, and Georgie  

Have you ever felt lonely?

Yes.

If not, why not?

N/a

If so, how did you cope?

I found reaching out and messaging friends and my Mum really useful when I was feeling alone. It also helps to have my pets: my bunny, Luna and cat, Emmy because without them, the house would feel really quiet and empty.

How do you think CNTW help people who are struggling loneliness?

I think that by employing Peer Support Workers who have their own experiences of mental illness and psychiatric services, the service users they work with can feel reassured and comforted to know they aren’t the only one feeling the way they do and that they can come through it.

What one piece of advice would you give to someone who’s feeling lonely?

Don’t be afraid to reach out in whatever way is helpful – whether it’s ringing a helpline, calling your local Crisis Team, messaging a friend, emailing family, or using social media – whatever it takes to prove you aren’t alone at all.


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