Tracy - Mental Health Awareness Week

Mental health was something I never really gave much thought to. I had good days and bad days, and I assumed that was simply part of life. As I got older and responsibilities grew, I noticed more struggles creeping in, but whenever I spoke to my GP, I was told it was normal. So I carried on.

When COVID arrived, life strangely felt a little easier. I had the kids with me 24/7 and no real break, but the pace of life slowed. Everything felt more manageable. The biggest shift in my mental health came in September 2020 when my mum passed away. I struggled deeply with the feeling that I never got to say goodbye. For the next year, I went into automatic pilot: kids to school, me to work, clubs, housework, repeat. I kept moving because stopping felt too hard.

In November 2021, everything changed again. I experienced three deaths in just fifteen days. It broke something inside me. I still cared for the kids, but every day I would go out, sit with a cup of tea for hours, and speak to no one. I shut down. At night, when the kids were asleep, I would lie awake for hours, unable to switch off.

The turning point came in July 2022 when I found APUK and connected with the team. That was when I realised something important: only I could change my mindset. The grief would always be part of me, but I could still choose to care for myself.

I started small—making sure I ate three meals a day. Then, gentle walks. Over time, I learned to speak honestly about how I feel. I tell people when I’m having a bad day. I listen to my body and give it what it needs. My self‑care looks different every day, and that’s OK.

The biggest thing I want anyone struggling to know is this: it’s OK to struggle. What isn’t OK is feeling like you have to do it alone. There are organisations, communities, and people who want to support you. You just need to be brave enough to reach out and ask for help.

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