Ben is joined by Ashley Riley, the Managing Director and namesake of Ashley Riley Communications, a PR, marketing, and communications agency. Ben and Ashley have an extensive and deep history together in business. Ashley wrote one of the first pieces of content for All Things Business Northamptonshire.
With extensive experience in a wide variety of communication roles, a specialty in crisis PR, and a brilliant public speaking reputation, it may seem Ash has everything going for him. However, his recent battle with mental health has been a source of great distress to himself and his family over the past couple of years.
Mental Health Struggles
After taking on a new role with an elected mayor, which meant working away from home a lot and finding less time to look after himself, Ash began to experience anxiety which intensified over the first half of 2023 with increasingly frequent panic attacks. Several visits to the doctor for medication had little to no effect and even exacerbated some of his symptoms as he willed the medication to work.
Mental health issues aren’t as A to B as treating things like a broken leg or chest infection, which have clear solutions that are easily executable. Both Ben and Ash agree that GPs are ill equipped to holistically deal with these issues. There are no silver bullets, which isn’t GPs fault, but specialists would be better placed to properly deal with the issues.
As his condition worsened and he began to occasionally slip into psychosis, Ash realised he desperately needed some help. With the NHS unable to help, he turned to private care and booked a stay in The Priory in Birmingham.
Ash was scared to begin his stay but found it incredibly helpful and a turning point in his journey, teaching things like managing anxiety through art therapy and coping mechanisms for when panic sets in, as well as getting his medication correct. He didn’t leave well, but better able to deal with life and his mental health.
Mental Health Support
Both Ash and Ben celebrate the great work that charities do to provide mental health support to those who need it but bemoan that there isn’t provision within the NHS to deal with the scale of the issue throughout the population. Therapy is effective, but unavailable to the vast majority due to waiting lists or the prohibitive expense of going private.
Now, Ash feels he is through the worst of his experience and has been sharing his story through LinkedIn. He’s been surprised by the amount of people who have come to him with their own stories, showing the extent of the issue. He encourages others to share their stories, with the hope that it will help one person realise they’re not alone.
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