About The Founder!

Hi Everyone,

First of all welcome to 'Time2ThinkofU'..... I am very happy that you've found - what I hope to be - this brilliant campaign!

My name is Chris, I am a 2nd Year Child's Nursing Student at Edge Hill University. I am 27 years old, and I am married with 5 (yes, you read right 5!! Haha) beautiful children.

The inspiration for this Campaign came from a number of things.....

Firstly, Nursing isn't my first chosen career path. Before having children I studied performing arts, and did a drama and creative arts degree, and at times I thought that was hard. However, it was only since returning to education and beginning my nurse training, that I realised what hard work actually was. A nursing degree is like no other, it is both physically and emotionally demanding, and the support out there - I believe anyway - doesn't suit student nurses, simply because it is really difficult to understand the vast difference in our degree to a "normal" one - and the pressures that come alongside it - unless you've been through it and know exactly what it's like.

So I, within my committee roles in Edge Hill's Nursing Society and Student Minds Society, came up with the concept of creating this Wellbeing and Mental Health Campaign - by Student Nurses, for Student Nurses - with collaborations from various charities and organisations. Offering a bespoke support and advice network for us. Besides, who is there better to help you, than someone who has been in the exact same situation as you.

Mental Health and Wellbeing is something I'm particularly passionate about. After my dad passing away when I was 16, I have been battling with Depression. For nearly 2 years I became socially isolated and lost all interests in everything. At first I couldn't admit to myself that something was wrong, and I had changed. I couldn't bring myself to speak to someone about how I was feeling, because I was afraid that they just wouldn't understand. I even used to tell myself not to seek help from my GP, simply because I didn't want Depression being on my past medical history, scared of being labelled.

But, how wrong was I.....!! My wife (we weren't married back then) supported me so much, it was great having someone who I felt able to talk to, without being judged. She persuaded me to seek help, and the help I received from my GP and local services couldn't have been better.

Now - a good few years later - I'm in a much better place, and I have a great network of people around me who I know I can turn to if I need to. Of course not everyday is perfect. However, I have learnt how not to get overwhelmed by such negative thoughts and emotions, and turn them around into something positive that I can change and overcome.

I hope that collectively, this new campaign and network, can help people to say "You know what, I'm not OK, I need help", and having the courage to say that. Then having the commitment and the dedication to make things better for themselves, with a little help along the way from people who are there to help and support them.

I know this was a long one, but thanks for reading.

Feel free to contact us at anytime and we will endeavour to contact you back as soon as we can.

Take Care, Be Happy and.....

ThinkofU

Chris