H the physio

Trauma physiotherapist in NHS. Rugby Physiotherapist. mum of 2. All views are my own

[H the physio @hdiphysio]

This is what needs to be said…..

[Stan Collymore @StanCollymore]

Suicide.

I'm choosing to be deliberately blunt and provocative in this post because it's necessary. Government, charities, football clubs are all pushing water up a hill in highlighting what is undoubtedly a major health crisis.

You take a rope.
You put it up in a garage or a tree nearby or far away.
You're thinking about every loved one you'll leave behind as you put that rope around your neck.
Then you drop.

Some are decapitated.
Some aren't.
All are found by someone who has a lifetime of trauma that will never leave them.
A son.
A daughter.
A brother.
A sister.
A mother.
A father.

I know 2 men who hung themselves.

One was found by his Mom.
One was found by his brother.
Neither have recovered fully. 20 and 30 years on.

A life sentence for people who were already worrying, terrified their loved one may do something.

So just visualise the above and ask, "is there another way"?

A segway for a moment.

I do a few Q&A's every year. Tales of yesterday with a 99% male audience of my age group.

After the stories and fun, my last question back to the audience is..

"Hands up if you struggle with a mental health issue".

Nobody ever puts a hand up. Despite 1 in every 3 of 500 attendees statistically struggling.

"Ah, nobody, that's fucking brilliant! Well I do! ". I then graphically tell people, stunned into silence about how a rope around my neck in the middle of nowhere jolted me to go home and cry like a baby to my Mom.

After the Q&A has finished, something always happens. I'll be chatting to a few guys, saying bye and one by one, men will come over and whisper " I struggle".

Or my mailbox the next day will have 30 emails from guys, their partners or kids saying " Dad/Uncle /Brother was there last night and what you said hit them hard".

And that's how some people realise that it's time to speak to a pal or family member or even rant to me in an email. It works, I often get a follow up email a year or 6 later saying that they took responsibility for their suicidal feelings and are now flying.

Humans are programmed to want to live, to have families and to keep the species growing and thriving. So for a human to want to short circuit that desire isn't normal, and it should never be spoken of as normal. It's the ultimate red flag.

If you suspect your mate, Dad, Brother, Uncle is struggling mentally, they deserve your intervention.

They deserve a " are you OK, please tell me what's up".

They deserve an opportunity to get past wanting to hang a rope over a tree or in a garage and slowly struggle until they die and you find them.

If you've been there and trust me I have plenty, then you'll know that text out of the blue, or a footie mate or one of your kids asking jow you are can open the curtains to some sunshine.

Because when suicide is your only answer, the room is already dark, and you can't see a way out.

So please, fucking pretty please, ask that husband, Dad, Uncle, Cousin, footie pal TODAY how they are.

You may be shocked what comes back but extremely glad that you asked.

For those who struggle, you're not alone.

[H the physio @hdiphysio]

@AdamMeakins Great list. Totally agree with these, in particular the communication one

[H the physio @hdiphysio]

@CrossCountryUK can you help??? Husband has left a bag on a train that’s on its way to Plymouth.

[H the physio @hdiphysio]

@authorRyarros Is that just on apple books? Or can I get it on my kindle?? Got one for Christmas and still figuring it out!!

[H the physio @hdiphysio]

Amazing day for Henry at the ISA National swim finals day in London representing Midlands and more importantly Loughborough Amherst . Great day with his friend Charlie representing Loughborough Amherst too @LboroAMSport

[H the physio @hdiphysio]

@AdamMeakins Good luck

[H the physio @hdiphysio]

@athom01 OMG me too!!!!!!

[H the physio @hdiphysio]

24 years ago I started my NHS career. I am so lucky to have spent these years within the same trust. I found my tribe. Onwards…… @uhltherapy @UHLTrauma

[H the physio @hdiphysio]

Henry’s school has a US open Champ!!

[Loughborough Amherst Sport @LboroAMSport]

Our Mika is US Open Champion! Huge congratulations! #LUNTA #usopen #champion

[H the physio @hdiphysio]

@athom01 Just watched it too and she was cruising

[H the physio @hdiphysio]

@ofure_ux Sending thought Lsm and prayers! My daughter had her birthday sleepover last night. 5 9 year olds 🤦🏻‍♀️

[Independent Schools Council @ISC_schools]

Labour must abandon its plans to charge VAT on independent school fees if the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) forecasts that it will ultimately lose the taxpayer money, warns Lord Lexden
https://t.co/AbFdbcf8Iv

[H the physio @hdiphysio]

@Sportdirect_UK trying to use your website but random things keep appearing in my basket and things I’m putting in are disappearing as I’m trying to shop. Very frustrating

[H the physio @hdiphysio]

@mrdaveorton Someone once told me that grief becomes something you carry in a handbag instead of something you carry on your shoulders. It never leaves, just changes over time.

[H the physio @hdiphysio]

Raised a glass at song 9 #Eurovision2024

[H the physio @hdiphysio]

@SarahMcLachlan Please come to the UK!!

[H the physio @hdiphysio]

@laurichmeadows @uhltherapy @Leic_hospital @SandraSpeller1 @HelenFort16 Sorry I missed it. Fiona will be missed

[H the physio @hdiphysio]

This 👇🏼 🙄

[OMiT Emi @EmiliaRxse]

Imagine being a Female PGA Professional and some guy comes up to you telling you how to swing 😂

She's a better person than I am because no way could I hold in my reaction

[H the physio @hdiphysio]

@rebeccamartyn2 @Plymouth_Live Extended the cordon now 🤦🏻‍♀️

[H the physio @hdiphysio]

@ashleighlowther Agreed.