I have observed a strange error within the resilience section of my talk. The message I normally propagate is DON’T PANIC, KEEP SWIMMING. Well, having recently been caught in a rip current whilst swimming in Greece, I now realise that in this particular situation you certainly don’t want to panic and the worst thing you can do is to keep swimming against the current.

Although it may seem to be going against your instincts, the very best advice is to go allow yourself to float on your back and float to some form of safety. Cease struggling, go with the flow and ask for help.  Often this is the case with mental health.  You have to stop battling and trying to swim and instead, surrender and ask for help, not worry about what other people think. None of us like the idea of drowning none of us like the idea of getting into difficulties in the water. Yet how many of us would actually ask for help? How many of us would prefer to try to fight the battle ourselves and not attract attention? That is until it is nearly too late.

Being too embarrassed to shout for help whilst swimming can cost people their lives. Being too embarrassed or ashamed to ask for help whilst struggling with mental health can also cost people their lives.

*This often-used expression is taken from a poem by Stevie Smith, published in 1957. For those interested in great writing, this is a superb poem about the human condition and a farsighted comment on mental health.

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/46479/not-waving-but-drowning

Here is a link to the practical advice if you ever do get caught in a rip current:

https://rnli.org/safety/know-the-risks/rip-currents

THE THREE BIG CAUSES OF SERIOUS STRESS

Follow this link to view the video on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeremythomastalks/videos/690000848116970/?t=19.

Calling all people who love Musicals particularly Rock Musicals

who are minded to support a brilliant mental health charity Charlie Waller Memorial Trust

 The Best of… Rock Musicals in aid of CWMT 12^th May at 4pm & 8pm

12th May 2019 at London’s Eventim Apollo, there will be two stellar concerts of The Best of… Rock Musicals for the benefit of The Charlie Waller Memorial Trust.

Hosted by the godfather of rock musicals, Sir Tim Rice, The Best of… Rock Musicals will feature Adam Pascal (Rent), Kerry Ellis (Wicked), Adrianna Hicks (The Color Purple), Kristina Love (Tina) and David Michael Johnson (Jesus Christ Superstar) – together with a bevy of Broadway and West End talent, the West End Chorus, the City of London Philharmonic Allstars and some very special surprise guests.

​Tickets available now from £18.50 – just click on the link.

​https://www.eventimapollo.com/events/detail/the-best-of-rock-musicals – qH29UxUGKkolOTp4.97

Hammersmith Apollo, 45 Queen Caroline St, Hammersmith, London W6 9QH

Actions speak louder than words

Here with the Oxford & Cambridge Coxs & Captains is Our Sponsor Jason Anthony, Founder & Managing Director of MGAM during the week and at weekends can be found on the River Thames as an RNLI volunteer. An example of someone whose ‘actions speak louder than words.’