The Good Samaritins Mental Health project, organised by sufferer himself Phil Hayes, has the backing of Regional Secretary Paul McCarthy and the GMB North West & Irish Region. Phil is putting together an album, featuring high profile musicians and aims to address the stigma associated with mental health.
Philip Hayes says -
"So why am I putting an album together titled ''The Good Samaritins''?. 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.
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.
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, .
1-4 population are affected. This illness doesn't discriminate so money, possessions don't help...it with the vital support of our caring professions, the safety of NHS facilities and the compassion and love of our families and friends.'
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."
https://www.thegoodsamaritans.co.uk/
