Paramedic issues mental health plea ‘It’s okay not to be okay – talk to someone’

ANDREA LAMBROU

An ambulance worker from East Kilbride has spoken out on his own mental health struggles in a bid to help others during the coronavirus pandemic.

Darren Miller, who has been self-isolating at home for two weeks, opened up about feeling overwhelmed and anxious as COVID-19 sweeps the nation.

The dad-of-one shared his feelings in a thought-provoking video shared on social media.

In less than two days the clip, posted on Facebook and Twitter, amassed hundreds of shares and likes, as well as heaps of praise from followers for his honesty regarding mental wellbeing.

Darren, dressed in his ambulance service uniform, said: “I wouldn’t normally make a video like this but I feel because I’ve had so of the service and the NHS reaching out to staff to say ‘things are fine, don’t worry about your mental health’ in this massively important time, I feel I really needed to say something.

“I’m coming off two weeks of isolation because of my family and I’m now proud to go back to serve my colleagues and the ambulance service and the NHS.

“What I need to say is don’t underestimate the mental effects of everything that’s going on just now.

“Although there’s a massive pandemic and health issues, there’s a lot of mental health stuff that is drilled in during this time because of the constant media, the constant chat on it, the changing situation.

“There’s a lot that’s tough.”

Dad Darren stresses that those working in the similar professions shouldn’t have to harbour and worry or fear during this unprecedented time.

He added: “It’s okay to be anxious about what’s to come, it’s okay to feel low about

“It really is okay to feel anxious about that holiday that you spent a lot of money on and not knowing what’s coming up next for that.

“It’s okay to feel anxious about your family. I know myself, I’ve been constantly checking my little boy making sure he’s alright.

“It’s irrational but it’s just what happens and that’s okay.”

The key worker reminded workers to take time for themselves where possible and to look after their own mental state.

“It’s okay to feel mentally overwhelmed just now but remember to talk about your feelings to your friends and your colleagues,” Darren said.

“Remember to open up and remember to just speak. Remember to take time for you.

“If you’ve been working hard take time to find time for yourself, to decompress and just clear that head.

“You know, team NHS and team ambulance service all across this country,