In the early 2000’s we were carrying out a large project in Basingstoke that as a lot of construction projects wasn’t going well and the client was being difficult, and it was all getting very unpleasant. After a few months of dealing with the issues it started to affect me in a way that I have never experienced before.

I didn’t want to go to bed because it meant that I had to go to work when I work up, I would often spend hours curled up in the corner of the settee not really wanting to do anything. My appetite was almost non-existent, and I suffered with what I now know is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Generally, it was not a nice time. Mental health was never really spoken about at the time and nowhere near as open as it is now.

It came to a peak when we had a progress meeting, afterwards my boss said he would take me out for a sandwich obviously knowing me over many years he knew I wasn’t myself and wanted to talk. Anyway, I burst into tears over a steak sandwich, and it all came out over lunch, and I clearly was not coping.

I was advised to get an appointment with a doctor as soon as possible which I did and during the appointment I again broke down in tears and I was diagnosed with stress and anxiety. The outcome was that I was signed off work for an initial 2 weeks which then went on 4 weeks, also I was prescribed some medication. The company were very supportive over this time and allowed me to get on top of things and I soon returned to eating and normal sleep patterns.

Having the support of work as well as family is very important and made me feel supported – I started going out for walks and getting fresh air that I hadn’t done in the previous months.

On return to works the company paid for me to have counselling that helped me put things in proportion and understand that it is okay to not be okay - it doesn’t make you any less of a person – I always considered myself a strong person but this experience wiped me out completely.

It took me several months to get my confidence back and someone said to me you will look back and laugh one day – I didn’t believe this – but I did.

I am a better person for what I went through, although I wouldn’t want anyone else to go through it and to that end if I can see the signs in others, it gives me a chance to listen to them and help.

Talk, there is someone who will listen, it is the hardest step but once you do everything will start to get better.

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Thank you to Know Thyself for their support on this project. Know Thyself Charitable Trust was founded in memory of Tom Vaughan, and looks to perpetuate Tom’s legacy of love, kindness, wellbeing and sense of community.