“I didn’t see a future for myself.” Those were the words spoken by Daisy Inclusive UK CEO Dave Kelly this week as he reflected on his struggles after going blind.
To mark Time to Talk Day in association with Mind, Dave spoke candidly about his mental health and the importance of talking during difficult times.
“I had no one to talk to when I went blind, and I contemplated life,” said Dave.
“I had my Jack Daniels and a heap load of tablets, and I thought ‘wow how have I got into this dark place.’ The tablets were there and my whiskey was there – I took a sip of the whiskey and I could feel those tablets in my hand, and the phone went.
“I thought this might be important – more important than my own life. I put the tablets back down, and it was my mum asking me what I wanted for my tea. I was back down to earth after hearing my mum’s voice.
“I thought about how she would feel if I did something to myself as dramatic as that, taking my own life – I just couldn’t do it.”
Using his own experiences to help beneficiaries and staff at Daisy Inclusive UK, Dave says the mental wellbeing of everyone at the charity is of paramount importance.
He added: “What I want to do at Daisy is help people before it gets too embedded in the psyche of feeling sad as it can become the norm.
“We’ve got counsellors here at Daisy, who come here to support anyone that might need help. They can receive eight to ten weeks of counselling, which is really good.
“I see people coming into Daisy, who have been isolated. After they finish their education, their ‘umbilical chord’ is cut in the sense they are withdrawn further from society.
“If you’re isolated and not receiving the help you need, then you can guarantee that mental health is probably knocking on your door next.
“Just talk to someone early on, there’s always someone there.”
