In conversation with mental health advocate, Steve Lawlor
#Episode19#metal-health-advocates#tips-on-metal-health#metal-well-being
Last week I shared about mental health stigma and tips on mental health care. When I first started digging deeper on the topic I came across the term mental health advocates on which I researched a lot and came to a conclusion - “Mental health advocates are heroes who are working to make the world a safe place for everyone.”
Today I present to you the interview with Steve Lawlor, a mental health advocate. The interview is short and informative, it discusses more on mental health advocates and how they work to make the world a safe place. Steve Lawlor is definitely an inspiration to a lot of people including me. I first came across "Legal Wolf", a podcast by Steve Lawlor on mental well-being and that’s how I came to know about his work and contribution to this field. Indeed the podcast motivated me to explore more on mental health. Today’s edition involves the Q&A session with Steve Lawlor. Let’s dive in!
Firstly let's start with a short introduction about you and your work in the field of mental health.
My name is Steve Lawlor, Mental Health Lawyer and Mental Health Advocate, due to my podcast, Legal Wolf, which is created to tackle the stigma and normalise the conversation around mental health. I am also keen to train businesses on how important mental health is within the workplace.
I also have lived experience of chronic anxiety of around 12 years, but I haven’t let it define me as a person.
What does mental health mean to you?
Mental Health is imperative and there is no health without mental health.
It should be treated on an equal footing to physical health and not be distinguished from it.
In your view how would you define your job as a mental health advocate?
My job is to advocate for the most vulnerable in society to ensure that their voice is heard.
As a mental health advocate, what are your key responsibilities in this sector? What is the most challenging aspect that you ever witnessed as a mental health advocate?
My key responsibilities are to represent the most vulnerable in society. To represent their views in a Mental Health Tribunal / Hospital Managers Hearings, to argue their case for discharge. I feel very privileged to do the job that I do.
The most challenging aspect is managing the client’s expectations.
What motivated you to become a mental health advocate?
My lived experience of chronic anxiety and to change the way people are treated who suffer from a mental health challenge.
What is your advice for someone who wants to take up this issue on mental health and choose a career related to this field?
If you are a people person, and truly wish to make a difference with the work you do, then mental health law is definitely a field for you. It’s a very niche area of law so it would be best to search for mental health law companies and write to them to ask for work experience.
In three words, how would you describe your life as a mental health advocate?
Rewarding, empowering and privileged.
Mental health stigma is a serious concern. How do you think we can work on this issue?
I feel if we have more people talking about their lived experiences, then we can reduce the stigma and normalise the conversation.
Also, if we start to be more inclusive of mental health within the workplace by not making people feel unable to disclose their concerns, this could create a change.
Finally, the media has such an important role in the way mental health is addressed by changing the language they use, to normalise the conversation and reduce the stigma, particularly around diagnoses such as Bipolar, Paranoid Schizophrenia and Personality Disorder.
Finally, in addition, if you have any suggestion/message for individuals on mental health, please do share.
Mental health is vitally important for every human being, particularly now, with Coronavirus. We should start to look after our mental health and prioritise it, as we have neglected it for years.
We should also be talking more about mental health, and share our experiences, as only then, will the stigma truly reduce.
My tips would be:
Don’t overwork, what doesn’t get done simply doesn’t get done.
Take care of yourself by taking regular breaks, walking and switching off from the outside world.
When your struggling, take a deep breath and a step back and acknowledge the current achievements to date, no matter how big or small.
This was my short interview with Sir Steve Lawlor. My curiosity towards mental health law made me dig deeper and connect with people around and that’s how I got the opportunity to meet Steve Sir. The tips shared by Steve sir are amazing. They are simple and are quite easy to follow. The tips discussed in the end are the best piece of this edition. Informative and effective tips, if I must say.
A lot of times we are stuck in this whirlpool of problems that we forget to acknowledge our past achievements and become too hard on ourselves. This is what is the most important factor when things don’t go in the way you want them to be, you just have to take a break, relax and enjoy the things you have achieved till now. That’s the secret mantra to be back on track with high enthusiasm. I wanted people to know the amazing work mental health advocates are doing across the world and this was one way I could.
I highly recommend everyone to check out the Legal Wolf Podcast by Steve Lawlor. Here's the link. If you wish to connect with Steve Lawlor you can email him at steven.lawlor@lawlorslawlimited.co.uk
I hope you had fun reading today’s edition. Stay tuned for upcoming editions till then take care of your physical and mental health and stay safe.
Best Regards
Ganga
Disclaimer: All the thoughts and ideas discussed are exclusively the author’s individual thoughts and do not represent any association/foundation/individuals the author is related to. Anything that may have hurt the sentiments of any group or groups of individuals is inadvertent and without malice. The author at no point means to demonize or insult any religion, practice, gathering, or individuals.
Hello Steve, I am so glad I stumbled upon your interview. As a mental health advocate, I agree wholeheartedly with this statement, "If you are a people person, and truly wish to make a difference with the work you do, then mental health law is definitely a field for you. It’s a very niche area of law so it would be best to search for mental health law companies and write to them to ask for work experience. "
There is such a need for change in this area. I'd love to talk with you and share ideas. :-)