Norfolk TV presenter Simon Thomas, who faced his own battle with mental ill health following the death of his wife in 2017, has urged people not to "suffer in silence".
Sharing his experiences as part of Open Up, our virtual conference on the issue of mental health, on Friday, he said his father had died during the pandemic giving him an insight into coping with grief in lockdown.
The Open Up conference has seen debates and panels on various topic related to mental health, including nutrition, wellbeing in the workplace and a radio debate with panelists.
“There is never an easy or ideal time to lose someone but this is particularly tough,” he said. “Holding your dad’s hand as he nears the end with a rubber glove on is not ideal, but at least we got to see him. His funeral was very small but at least we got to be there. I recognise there are people who haven’t even had that. I cannot even begin to imagine how hard that is.”
He urged people to seek help. “Don’t be too proud to reach out, pick up the phone and keep talking.”
The event also saw Norfolk TV presenter, conservationist, vet and mother Dr Jess French share her experiences of having a young family in lockdown.
She said: “I have felt a lot of guilt because I don’t know if I’m making the right decisions.”
Asked how she coped she said: “It has been a hard time and I’m not saying I have the answers but the things I have tried to do is talking to people a lot.
“I’ve found the best way of slowing down and calming my mind is getting out into nature.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here