Have you ever met your childhood hero? What did you say?
I met Adam Ant six years ago, initially walking straight past him. “That person looks like Adam Ant,” I thought.
I called out “Adam” and he stopped.
“I’ve been a massive fan since I was ten years old,” I blurted out.
“Thank you.” He is very polite.
“I’m so pleased everything is going well for you now and I can’t wait for the gig later.”
I asked for a selfie. He agreed. Then off we went. We both look happy in the picture.
A few years earlier I saw him at a gig where he wore a tracksuit and fell off the stage repeatedly. Adam has had well documented mental health challenges; living with bipolar disorder since his twenties, arrested for wielding a gun in a pub, and sectioned for a time under the Mental Health Act.
I like to think that simply saying “you’re doing good” made a difference.
My own mental health suffered for a while after I spent nearly a month in an ICU. I did not realise I had PTSD until I spoke to someone. Even small acknowledgements of “doing a good job” make a positive difference for me now.
But don’t wait to meet your childhood hero. On World Mental Health Day, say “good job” to someone you know, even if you are not worried about their mental health.
It will make a huge difference.
