Our VP, QHSE, Simon Harvey, one of the cyclists currently taking part in our 600-mile mental health charity ride, found time before the group set off to talk about his views on the cause and his own experiences.

Why does the 600 Miles for Minds challenge matter?

It matters because mental health matters. There’s clearly a growing problem in society around mental health. At the extreme end, we’re tragically seeing higher suicide rates. But we’re also seeing younger children increasingly affected. The way life is lived these days is more pressurised, more fast-paced, there’s a lot more going on. On a personal level, I have friends and family that struggle with this.

So, mental health is gradually becoming more and more of an issue and as an employer Proserv has a crucial role to play in providing support frameworks for our colleagues. For me, it also matters because we are using this event, not just to raise funds, but to encourage discussion around this important subject and increase awareness. Whenever I mention 600 Miles for Minds to someone and what we’re doing, it naturally sparks a conversation. The subject of mental health touches everyone. I have been on training rides with other members of our cycling group and inevitably we will talk about our own experiences.

With celebrities speaking out regularly, and TV programmes confronting this topic, people are being encouraged to be more open and to discuss how they are feeling. This is a real shift in society over recent years. So, as much as the fund-raising itself matters, so too does letting people know that there is an open door, and sharing whatever is on their mind, is a huge part of what we are doing.

Generally, our mental health is not always thriving and likewise we are not always really struggling. We move around in between these two points because life is changeable, and things affect us. What we want to encourage with the message behind 600 Miles for Minds is that through reaching out, by talking, people can generally remain in an essentially good place, never dropping into an area where things become very difficult.

Why are you personally taking part?

Firstly, I’m a keen cyclist. I love riding my bike and I ride my bike a lot! I once cycled 200 miles in a day, but I’ve never done 600 miles over just six days, and part of me loves a challenge.

Cycling is great for my own mental health. I really enjoy the simplicity of cycling. You cycle, eat, cycle, eat, cycle, eat and sleep. Then you wake up, get back on the bike and do it all over again. You can immerse yourself in this simple experience and take yourself away from the ‘noise’ of everyday life.

So this is a big factor for me but behind all that, and like most people, I have close family members who have had their own struggles with their mental health over the years. It is very challenging to go through, for the person suffering of course, but also for someone who cares for and loves that individual and must witness this battle, but ultimately it can still be a positive learning experience.

Offering support to a friend or family member going through a tough period is very much a journey. You gain new perspectives about yourself; you get an opportunity to adapt and adjust and become a better person. Times like this are hard to experience but they can strengthen and enhance both understanding and relationships. So, a key observation I have wanted to communicate as part of this campaign is that there really can be light at the end of the tunnel.

Caption: Proserv cycling team members pictured in Great Yarmouth – Simon Harvey (fourth from left)

I recently encouraged a close relative to take up cycling and this has had a positive effect on mental wellbeing, along with being open and talking about issues. This is great to see.

You cannot necessarily find a cure for mental health struggles, there is no magic pill to take, but anyone feeling weighed down can use these different tools to help bring improvements and to find it easier to live with them.

But several years ago, I also lost a close friend as a result of mental health challenges, for whom there sadly wasn’t a positive outcome, and my respect for, and memory of, that friend is very much on my mind as I undertake this cycle ride.

What does mental health awareness mean to Proserv?

It is a vitally important issue. We were an early implementor of employee assistance programmes, initially doing that in the UK, but working alongside our VP, Human Resources, Morag McGowan, we have had a big push on making those services accessible in all our other sites around the world. Morag and I collaborate closely on this subject as it naturally spans both HR and HSE and one of our key objectives is to make sure team members can get the help they might need as early as possible.

Many people only seek help when they are already in a bad place, perhaps when they feel they can no longer cope – this is too late. We want colleagues who are feeling under stress or beginning to struggle to be able to reach out quickly and easily. This comes back to one of the core messages behind 600 Miles for Minds around talking, opening up and sharing a burden. That initial conversation is hopefully the first step on a more positive road.

We have set up what we call Mental Health Champions, or first aiders, who are available as the point of contact at our sites. They are not there to provide a solution but importantly they can recognise the signs of anxiety and stress and they can guide a colleague towards the right help.

We tend to talk about, and focus on, wellbeing at Proserv. Mental health is an integral part of that, but prioritising wellbeing brings in a host of other important areas too. If we look after our wider wellbeing, then our mental health should benefit.

Essentially, our approach to mental health is centred on recognising that colleagues need access to early support whenever it might be needed so that there is always someone to talk to. This is part of helping to build resilience so that people “in a good place” can stay there. Assistance programmes we instigate globally are always mindful of the cultural sensitivities of any particular country too.

What outcomes are you hoping for when you eventually climb off the saddle on June 12th?

Well, I said I wanted a prominent Finish Line arch ready for when we arrive in Great Yarmouth and that is going to happen! First and foremost, I want every rider who lines up at the start in Aberdeen to make it to the finish safely and that they can enjoy it rather than endure it.

We ultimately want to hit our fundraising target through the year, and we have done brilliantly up till now, but just as importantly, we really want to get the message across that people need to reach out when they feel under stress and to talk to someone – this is the key first step. I hope that what we are doing as a group, as we cycle down the country, can help bring greater awareness of this.

I want our efforts to help break down the barriers around openness. If discussing mental wellbeing is normalised, the less likely people will stay in their own bubbles, burdened by anxiety, and the more likely they will be to share their feelings and become more resilient to these struggles.