Matt can... 

NAME: Matt

FROM: Linthorpe, Middlesbrough

ABOUT: Police Officer

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MY #BOROMANCAN STORY:

So for years I have “cracked on” and got on with things and thought things will work out. After a difficult marriage breakdown, two young kids, no money and struggling I kept going, going and going.

At one stage I walked into Tesco on Roman Road, placed my beer on the counter and the lady who served me put her hand on mine and said “You seem to be a nice lad, whatever your going thorough this isn’t the answer” It was then I realised how often I was buying drink, and I felt embarrassed.

I have always been fit and active and I had let myself go a bit. I decided to sort myself out and got fit, started playing football again, and knocked the drink on the head (for a bit). Around the same time I began talking with a colleague at work and we became great friends. He introduced me to a more spiritual view on life, mediation, mindfulness, crystal healing and Reiki. I was open to anything so I took it on, and the difference it made was massive for me. Gave me a clear perspective on things, helped me stay relaxed and more importantly slowed my mind down to a manageable level.

This was fine and then in the summer of last year I had a lot of pressures from different angles. Home life, work, running kids football team, trying to keep everybody happy and this had a massive detrimental effect on me.

I took a weeks leave at work and on my first day off myself and partner had a meaningless disagreement and I broke down, cried and felt all my years of struggle pour out. I was relieved in a way as I felt it was coming out and it was time I got it sorted once and for all. I went sick at work, which isn’t like me, and sought help through counselling. I went back to walking in the hills, the beach, and walking Alfie our dog was the biggest help I had at the time. I realised I needed to be more selfish, not in a bad way but do things for myself.

As time has gone on I cope much better now, I know how to deal with things and what the triggers are and that’s important.

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FIND OUR MORE

• Tell your GP, friends and close family about how you feel.
• Get free NHS counselling from http://wecantalk.org/
• Find out more about the five ways of wellbeing by searching on the internet for ‘Insight five ways of wellbeing’