It is Mental Health awareness week across the UK from today until Sunday 16th May.
This past year or so, mental health is something that has been talked about more openly than ever before, and so I thought that I would share something that is close to my heart, effects me on a daily basis, and hopefully make people more aware of how their actions can affect others not just in my instance but for everyone that struggles in some way.
My story starts back in July 2012, when I was the victim of a head on collision. I was travelling to a friends house after work on the hottest day of the year, and looking forward to a nice evening of idle chit chat catching up with the newly weds. As I made my way to their house, I was travelling at 50mph, approaching a bend in the road when the car travelling in the opposite direction glided across my lane, hitting me literally head on. The other driver had fainted at the wheel.
Despite the airbags going off, and my car being a write off, I was able to hobble away from the scene without too many physical scars, however, the other car wasn’t so lucky with one back seat passenger having not been wearing a seat belt flying through and hitting their windscreen on impact.
This incident affects me every day. The mental scars and the what ifs… What if it was a Land Rover or worse, a lorry? What if I had been closer to the bend and not been able to swerve? What if my car hadn’t had up to date safety features? How would my family have coped should the worst have happened? There was nothing I could do about it, yet every time I am in a car as a driver or a passenger, or walking the pavements, it is lurking at the forefront of my mind. I have genuine fear in some driving circumstances and anxiety that has occasionally brought me to tears whilst out on the roads. I feel that although there is sympathy towards me, because of the length of time it is since the accident I am expected to have got over it, yet like a dark shadow it continues to haunt me.
Certain scenarios do make it worse, and the more I see it, the more I despair. In my local area, estate roads are seen as race tracks, cars are overtaking others on suburban streets at incredibly high speeds at all times of day or night. It is sheer arrogance that makes someone believe that their driving skills are so acute that should a small child run out at school time, that they would be able to stop in time. The arrogance to think that they are above the law, and that they aim to scare others with their intimidation tactics on the roads.
These are, I know, strong views, but as someone who has experienced a near death collision just going about her business, I feel responsible for the safety of others on the roads. If I can get one more person to take driving more seriously than they currently do, I would see that as a small victory and that something positive can come out of my experience.
I understand that there are many, many others, who suffer more so than I when it comes to mental health, but I wanted to highlight that behind every smile everyone has something that affects them, and although talking about it doesn’t make it go away, it can bring about more understanding. So on that note, I’m encouraging folks to talk. If there’s something that worries you, or makes you feel blue, however big or small, reach out, whether it’s to me, your friends, colleagues or your family and don’t just say you’re fine if you’re not.
Also, if you’re one of those who I described above when it comes to driving, please be aware that there are others on the roads and not just you. It shouldn’t be too much to ask that every road user should arrive at their destination safely. You may think it’s funny to cut others up and drive like a speed demon, but one wrong move is all it takes.
There is also some great info online, so to find out more about this subject, please visit www.mentalhealth.org.uk