Last Wednesday evening, Bellingham Wallace had the honour of hosting an event filled with networking, drinks, and invaluable insights from the renowned rugby legend and mental health advocate, Sir John Kirwan. With a remarkable turnout of over 140 guests, the evening buzzed with a palpable sense of connection as clients and attendees absorbed Sir John Kirwan's inspirational address.
“It was such an inspiring evening. It takes a lot of bravery to step up and make the necessary steps to actively prevent things from going wrong before they go wrong. It was amazing to see how connected all our staff and guests were this evening. They listened intently to the conversation and were able to really engage and take something tangible away.” - Mike Atkinson
At the heart of Bellingham Wallace's vision lies a commitment to making a positive impact on our team, clients, and broader community. Events like these exemplify our dedication to facilitating meaningful exchanges that enrich our collective knowledge and well-being.
Andy Jung shared his immediate takeaway, remarking, “One simple change I can implement right away is leaving my phone behind during my morning coffee routine.”
Sheryl Elliot expressed appreciation for the insights shared, saying, “Understanding how we can support others is invaluable. The six pillars outlined by Sir John provide a practical framework for passing on knowledge and assistance.”
“It’s so important to remember to enjoy the little moments.” -Tania Stratton
Sir John Kirwan delved into his personal journey with mental health, candidly recounting his challenges and the invaluable lessons that propelled him towards a place of happiness and fulfilment today.
“I was dead. So, some mornings I would just cry. And if you’ve got grey hair like me and grew up in my era, crying was failure and so I would cry and feel a little bit of relief but then I feel like I’d failed”. – Sir John Kirwan
When you have anxiety like me, a minute feels like an hour, an hour feels like a day and a day feels like a week. So, I’d get to the end of the week and be really tired.”
Sir John Kirwan advocates for the development of preventative mental health strategies to mitigate the onset of conditions like anxiety and depression. He along with his organisation GROOV, outlines six fundamental pillars for crafting such a plan:
- Chill: Dedicate time to relaxation activities such as meditation or yoga.
- Enjoy: take the time to truly enjoy something. E.g. feel the water wash over you in a shower and really connect with that feeling of enjoyment.
- Connect: Foster meaningful connections with loved ones through open communication and quality time together.
- Move: Prioritize physical activity, whether it's walking the dog or engaging in exercise.
- Celebrate: Acknowledge your achievements and progress, no matter how small.
- Do one thing (DOT) from the above today and when you’ve done that then Do Another Thing (DAT). Sometimes just committing to do one thing can help get the wheels moving.
Finally, Sir John emphasizes the importance of mindful breathing as a grounding practice before and after facing challenging situations.
In closing, the evening with Sir John Kirwan was a transformative experience that underscored the significance of mental health awareness and proactive self-care.
