GMB North West and Irish Region Connect Magazine May 2017 | Page 14
GOOD SAMARATINS MENTAL HEALTH PROJECT
T
EQUES B
R
Y
L
B
F GM
I HUM
ORT O HE
P
P
U
S
T
THE
RS FOR
M E M B E M A R I TA N S
SA
C T.
GOOD
PROJE
U
A L B M H AY E S.
PHILIP
Phil Hayes and Elvis Costello
ERS
K
R
O
W
RIAL
O
M
E
M
D AY
"So why am I putting an album together titled the GS..... well brothers
and sisters it’s because I've had two breakdowns since 2012, the first
in 2013 when I begged my GP to put me somewhere safe to prevent
me from harming myself, that place was Broadoak unit in Liverpool's
Broadgreen hospital, I went in there for 6 weeks.
I didn't really recover but that place of safety prevented my family from
having to lose me. Bless the NHS and the staff.
When I came out I tried to get well but the enormous amount of guilt
I felt was weighing me down, both physically and psychologically. I
desperately wanted to become normal whatever that is and I
returned to work eventually but my mind wasn't right.
I took the medication and stumbled along til 2015 when I had a
much more serious relapse. I was asked to leave the family home
my behaviour was upsetting my family and it was thought I'd
benefit from living alone.
I was devastated I became really ill and contemplated suicide. I
didn't obviously and it was the thought of the pain it would have
inflicted on my family that prevented me. I decided to leave
Liverpool, and I'm a born and bred Scouser, Kop season ticket
holder, music lover, had given 30 years of my life supporting
unemployed scousers and new bands at the Picket music venue.
But I thought I’d go to London and become anonymous go work
for the Quakers and do my penance for the harm I had caused by
upsetting many of my close family and friends. I was texting friends
and family threatening to harm myself, it was a nightmare.
I discovered later that I all I needed to do was forgive myself , I just
needed to forgive myself and then love would return to my heart.
Many GMB members will
have been touched by the
consequences of a friend, partner
or work colleague suffering some
form of mental illness I want
through this project to help GMB
members who may be suffering,
1 in 4 of the population are
affected. This illness doesn’t
discriminate so money or
possessions don’t help, but with
the vital support of our caring
professions, the safety of NHS
facilities and the compassion and
love of our families and friends
we can help anyone suffering get
through it.
It has done so, I’m home in the bosom of my family, love has
returned, I’m working as a volunteer in Toxteth to help those less
fortunate than me and really excited about this project which I ask
GMB members to support.
GMB North West & Irish Region is supporting the project and I thank
Paul McCarthy, Neil Smith, Terry Mellor and Cecil van Onselen for their
compassion, for listening to my story and getting behind the project.
We will on the album
provide signposts that
will direct people to get
the help they need.
No more silence,
the music helps to
‘soothe the savage beast
in us; it lifts our hearts
and spirits.”
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