For Billy Lewis, day-to-day life just a couple of years ago was a struggle. He found it difficult to meet new people or even speak confidently with a stranger over the phone.
Now, however, he says finding the courage to ask for help has changed his life – and that’s all thanks to your ongoing donations to us.
Billy, 25, is an on-call firefighter with Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service. He works shifts alongside his job in a warehouse.
While he lives life in the fast lane, he says he begun struggling with his mental health a couple of years ago – but didn’t initially want to tell anyone, so continued putting on a front at work and with his loved ones.
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“I’m very open now, but I wasn’t before,” says Billy. “A lot was happening at home and some of those things were quite dramatic. It got to the point I hit rock bottom.
“Looking back, it’s made me the person I am today and I’m now the happiest I’ve ever been – while constantly encouraging other people to speak out – but I wish I’d asked for help long before then.
“I wasn’t seeing the warning signs and that was the problem. After that happened, I knew I’d never get to that point again, but I knew I needed help.”
Billy says, while he was blind to the warning signs at the time, he can clearly see them now – and wants to warn others reading this, in case they’re ignoring any in their own life.
“The warning signs I’d now look out for are my sleep, stress levels and how my family see me and if they’ve noticed anything. They might recognise things long before you do,” says Billy.
“You might feel a little different and just put it down to stress at work, but actually, your whole life’s suddenly changed.”
Fortunately, Billy knew he needed to seek help before he went downhill again, and he called us to see how we may be able to support him.
“I spoke to my fire service initially, who offered me therapy, and I also spoke to you shortly after,” says Billy. “You offered me some 1:1 counselling over the phone, but I was luckily already receiving therapy through my service at that point.
Source: Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service
“I went on to chat to you over the phone later on, and was also offered a retreat – on the Reset Programme at Harcombe House.
“The programme, in all honesty, changed my life. It really did. It highlighted things that you know are important, like your diet, your health, your sleep, but you don’t really understand how important.
“I was there with like-minded people that were so good to be around. Everybody had a different level of mental health need, but everyone needed that help and you felt you could be open and talk about.
“Then around that, knowing you don’t have to cook your own food or worry about what you’re doing the next day is great. Somebody else was in control and I could just soak up all the information that I could then bring home and use in my day-to-day life.
“I’ve since got into a relationship with my new partner and I’m so happy. I’ve got my confidence back.
“Before, when I was living with the depression, I couldn’t talk to anyone I didn’t know over the phone, I couldn’t date… I’m so different now.”
Source: Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service
He adds: “All my friends and family have said to me since, it literally was a whole reset button for me. They’re saying, ‘I’ve finally got my son back’ or ‘I’ve finally got my brother back’.”
Billy says he can recognise now, from his own experience, why a lot of people put off making that first call – but he’d encourage anyone he can to do so, as it’s such a strength to know when you need a helping hand.
“I’d always seen the Charity’s logo and heard people talking about it, but I never realised how easy it was to get the help until I asked for it myself,” says Billy.
“It wasn’t until I found the courage to say, ‘actually, I need help’. It’s massively the hardest thing you’ll have to do, especially in a working environment. But as soon as I got in touch it was just brilliant.
“I know that you guys are there now and I know there’s help there. For me, if I ever see any warning signs now, I’d get help straight away.
“It’s that message that it’s okay not to be okay, and I make sure I let everybody know that. It’s so important to look after your mental health just as much as your physical health.”
As a way of thanking us and our supporters, Billy is now preparing to take part in a major fundraising challenge on 3 September – pulling a Jeep tyre for six miles, all while wearing full fire kit
“I’ve spoken to a lot of local businesses who have donated to it,” says Billy. “We’re also trying to do a fun day in aid of it. It’s about raising funds and also spreading the word.
“I’m feeling quietly confident – I think I’m going to smash it, it’s just the heat that will be hard in the kit!”
To donate to Billy’s fundraiser, click here.
If you’re struggling with your health and wellbeing, we may be able to help you. Call our Support Line on 0800 389 8820, make an enquiry online or register for MyFFC now and visit the ‘Access Support’ tab at the top of the MyFFC homepage.
You can also join our ‘Share Your Story’ Group in MyFFC, by clicking on the ‘Groups’ tab, to chat to others who have received our support or enquire about sharing your own story.