Katie Rudd - Mental Health Awareness Week
Mental health is an important topic and one we promote and actively discuss. Across VolkerRail we have over 40 mental health champions, and Katie Rudd, document controller, is one of them. Katie has been a mental health champion for over three years, and has told us how she prioritises her own mental health.
Why did you become a mental health champion?
I became a mental health champion after experiencing my own mental health problem. I wanted to be able to provide support and resources for colleagues that may not know where to turn or whom to talk to.
Becoming a mental health champion has also allowed me to gain skills to support family and friends. The training provided by VolkerRail has given me a great toolkit of knowledge.
How do you find being a mental health champion?
I really enjoy being a champion as I like helping people. I feel that being a champion allows you to help people when they need it the most – just checking a colleague is OK during the day, or stopping and having a cup of tea. Taking time to listen can make such a difference to somebody’s day, and also their mental health.
I also feel very privileged to be a part of the mental health champion team, as it is an amazing group of people.
What does mental health mean to you?
For me, mental health means that you are able to identify your feelings, helping you realise your abilities and how to cope with stresses in life and work. It also helps you understand when you need to take a step back and have some time for yourself.
Why do you think it’s important to prioritise mental health?
It’s important to prioritise mental health, as it goes hand-in-hand with our physical health. In the last couple of years, especially since the Covid pandemic, it’s so important to make sure that you’re able to identify when things are getting a bit too much.
How do you prioritise your own mental health and wellbeing?
It’s important to prioritise mental health, as it goes hand-in-hand with our physical health. In the last couple of years, especially since the Covid pandemic, it’s so important to make sure that you’re able to identify when things are getting a bit too much.
The theme for Mental Health Awareness Week is anxiety. Have you experienced anxiety and how did you overcome it?
I have suffered from anxiety since secondary school. It was hard at first, but as I have gotten older I have found ways to manage it.
I can now recognise when my anxiety starts to build up, and I understand what triggers me, and I speak to my family and friends about it, as it helps me feel less overwhelmed. Breathing techniques and meditation are also a big help, to keep my anxiety in check.