AMJ Blog
I have been writing a blog for some time. I use it to share my experiences and views on mental health – I had a breakdown in 2014/15 and live with depression and anxiety – and work life balance. I am passionate about working on my wellbeing and helping others to achieve and maintain the right work life balance and wellbeing approaches for them. My blog – along with my Twitter feed – comes with one health warning – if you read it you may have to hear about some of my other passions – my family, golf, Liverpool FC, communications, the Boston Red Sox, politics and the West Wing.
I’ve graduated with a Masters in counselling - it’s a long, long way from my lowest point
![Four years free of alcohol has given me new freedom](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62178cf19f3c6a6858677c02/1645711868732-2FIHOKX0AKBWUXGYYSPT/IMG_9806-1.jpg)
Four years free of alcohol has given me new freedom
![The seven year itch: the anniversary of my hospitalisation and the start of my breakdown](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62178cf19f3c6a6858677c02/1645711501875-ZZR69L35BMZAQDNI3M0A/image-asset.png)
The seven year itch: the anniversary of my hospitalisation and the start of my breakdown
![School holidays are full of great times but also a helping hand for depression](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62178cf19f3c6a6858677c02/1645711501454-MZ3GJL8MY9A3JOAEZ8H2/image-asset.jpeg)
School holidays are full of great times but also a helping hand for depression
![Being kind also means respecting that I'm not ready to ditch my mask or go to the match](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62178cf19f3c6a6858677c02/1645711499364-6Y7IG3BPUG7D7GXCFDZ5/image-asset.png)
Being kind also means respecting that I'm not ready to ditch my mask or go to the match
![Feeling below par isn't good for my golf, or anything else.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62178cf19f3c6a6858677c02/1645711498870-KMW4D3LNFYSHS9DRSK95/image-asset.png)
Feeling below par isn't good for my golf, or anything else.
![Mental health awareness week: raising awareness is critical but only as a stepping stone to raising us all up](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62178cf19f3c6a6858677c02/1645711497454-43G7R4G86Z1QOXO4YGLL/image-asset.png)
Mental health awareness week: raising awareness is critical but only as a stepping stone to raising us all up
![I'm still that little boy, wanting to be heard](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62178cf19f3c6a6858677c02/1645711496998-XIU7HJDFFEWCECZ7W4NI/image-asset.jpeg)
I'm still that little boy, wanting to be heard
![It's too easy to apologise for feeling down, especially during COVID](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62178cf19f3c6a6858677c02/1645711495954-EUOWONF3AO9LTFYUO73L/image-asset.png)
It's too easy to apologise for feeling down, especially during COVID
![I am now in the eye of the storm: what it's like to be in a depressive episode](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62178cf19f3c6a6858677c02/1645711494467-JQY6UQRIESAYJ9FNR2BX/image-asset.jpeg)
I am now in the eye of the storm: what it's like to be in a depressive episode
![Mental health COVID aftershocks will be with us for years](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62178cf19f3c6a6858677c02/1645711493856-PWUP847AAZD6ZVJULWN8/image-asset.png)
Mental health COVID aftershocks will be with us for years
![Work can damage your health - that's not a mystery.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62178cf19f3c6a6858677c02/1645711493273-5P1YTAGI79O3CN4GUV9T/image-asset.png)
Work can damage your health - that's not a mystery.
![Unpopular view of the year: 2020 hasn't been a bad year for me and my mental health](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62178cf19f3c6a6858677c02/1645711492692-R4B3AV7J8USR834E93CR/image-asset.png)
Unpopular view of the year: 2020 hasn't been a bad year for me and my mental health
![Talking about your own mental health is a man's job](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62178cf19f3c6a6858677c02/1645711492471-T8YNDN35ZNLPJX3CJFXZ/image-asset.png)
Talking about your own mental health is a man's job
![My mental health weather forecast for the coming week: unsettled.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62178cf19f3c6a6858677c02/1645711491071-EN7B1XU4V2921H5GBJKP/image-asset.jpeg)
My mental health weather forecast for the coming week: unsettled.
![World Mental Health Day 2020](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62178cf19f3c6a6858677c02/1645711490189-UT4V1A3I0B74B00QZO8C/image-asset.png)
World Mental Health Day 2020
![I raise a cuppa and a big smile to not drinking](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62178cf19f3c6a6858677c02/1645711489466-QOZZJFFPT98QHZGT6X7X/image-asset.png)
I raise a cuppa and a big smile to not drinking
![It’s time to make a change](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62178cf19f3c6a6858677c02/1645711489392-N71YVBBF54PL8RQG7WWA/image-asset.jpeg)
It’s time to make a change
![Giving it 100% comes at a price](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62178cf19f3c6a6858677c02/1645711488912-8TWXJTK36NYEC9ODSB2N/image-asset.png)
Giving it 100% comes at a price
![It only takes one email or comment](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62178cf19f3c6a6858677c02/1645711488190-3LY2RVX8S56SXNMQDUEA/image-asset.png)