A few things have happened since I started blogging about my mental health…
- It’s improved (talking, you see)
- People have opened up to me (talking, again)
- The Headstrong Project was born
And it’s the 3rd item that’s the subject of this blog.
Who is it?
The Headstrong Project is the brain child of myself, Dan Horsman, Alex Bowdery, and Sophie Cox.
Dan has had his own mental health challenges and was keen to give something back. He has successfully set up and hosted get-togethers aimed at encouraging men to talk about their mental health in a relaxed environment. An important job.
Outside of Headstrong Dan spends his time being very handsome and working for Savills where he’s definitely not an estate agent.
Alex is a keen and talented film maker (he’s worked with Jason Statham you know). His creative talents, interest in mental health and movie making skills led to the first Headstrong mini project – a powerful short film based on real life testimony of people’s mental health struggles.
In his non-Headstrong life Alex plays squash, takes dramatic photos and enjoys the occasional cider.
Sophie joined the project for two very important reasons.
1 – make real change in the fight against mental health stigmas
2 – control 3 blokes that have huge ideas, small wallets, and questionable organisational skills
In her “normal” life Sophie is a Flavour Doctor (seriously), mother, and party host extraordinaire.
The Headstrong Team – passionate, creative, organised.
What is it?
In simple terms, The Headstrong Project aims to breakdown barriers (stigmas), raise awareness and provide support around mental health through original projects and events.
It’s 2019 and people still struggle to talk about their mental health as easily as they do their physical health. Why? Mental health is as real as physical health. Mental health can impact physical health and vice versa. Mental health can lead to absence from work, family feuds, isolation, and death. It can lead to death yet we don’t talk about it!
At Headstrong we talk about it. All the time. We talk about it to our families, colleagues, friends, neighbours, and pets (probably). We tweet about it, Instagram it, post it on Facebook and share it on LinkedIn. And most importantly we aim to encourage others to do the same. Talking about mental health should be as normal as taking about the weather. That’s our mission. Our projects and events will create comfortable, judgement free environments for the conversations to continue.
Speaking of projects and events – We are bursting with ideas! Art projects, photography events, football matches, charity balls, yoga…and, most crucially, simple one-to-one chats.
Since our inception in July of this year we’ve met, and begun working with, Dorset Mind, Rural Mental Health Matters, The Blackmore Vale Partnership, The Mental Health Roadshow, and independent therapists. We’ve created a film, posted daily well-being tips, held socials, had one-to-ones, hosted quiz nights, presented at events, and attended charity balls.
We are Headstrong and we’re on a mission.
#beheadstrong
If you’d like to learn more, reach out, or simply ask a question please contact us via our social media
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