Published on: 11 May 2026
Mental Health Awareness Week (11-17 May) is an opportunity to raise awareness of good mental health and challenge any existing stigma. This year’s theme is about taking action to support mental health. Local organisations including Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust recognise the significance of seeking help when it is needed to contribute to better overall health and wellbeing. 
Craig*, in his early 50s and a former kiln technician at a manufacturing company, shared his story as part of the awareness week. Craig, was recently admitted to the Carsington Unit in Derby, which provides care for local adults with acute mental health needs. Described as having a first episode of mental health difficulties, triggered by life events, Craig is now receiving support from the inpatient facility to help manage his health.
Craig said: “I worked for the company for over 30+ years with no issues. We had a little community that felt more like a family, everyone helped each other. It was nice.”
Later that week, Craig received confirmation that he had been made redundant.
Craig is experiencing a serious mental health crisis brought on by a combination of overwhelming life stressors impacting him all at once. He has been struggling with persistent physical pain, the sudden loss of his job, financial worry, caring for his family, and distressing experiences including hearing voices telling him to harm himself.
“When I found out I was being made redundant my mind went into overdrive. My body felt like it was 90 years old. It couldn’t keep up with my brain which was moving a 100mph. It felt like an internal tornado of thoughts that I had no control over stopping. Not long after hearing the news I was worrying about the inevitable - how do I now get a job, pay bills, look after my family. I didn’t have any answers just constant overbearing thoughts.”
“Things began to get all too much. I started to not only hear things but also see things too. The voices in my head were telling me to kill myself.”
At 1am that same day, Craig was later admitted to hospital, accompanied by his family following this incident. He was later admitted to the inpatient facility in Derby where he has remained as a service user for almost two weeks.
“I remember thinking I couldn’t tell anyone beyond my family about where I was. I felt ashamed, but now I feel supported in an environment that feels safe with lots of staff around to help.”
Craig praised the staff for how supportive they have been and how well looked after he has felt. “They’ve all definitely got time for you. They all seem to be reading off the same book, meaning you’re not getting different opinions. It’s very professional and safe.”
After two weeks in hospital, Craig reflects on how fond his time has been over his previous misconceptions. “I’ve joined in with activities like cooking, gardening and even karaoke – there’s always something going on here,” he said.
The Carsington Unit is a newly designed facility offering individual en-suite rooms and a range of modern, therapeutic facilities, aiding patient experience and supporting the recovery of those with mental health needs.
Craig has seen a huge transformation in his wellbeing since admission. He said: “I never thought mental health existed. I thought it was all nonsense. But now this has happened to me, I realise it’s real and not something to be ashamed about.”
“I am so grateful that I got the help I needed. I am where I need to be with an amazing team of people who genuinely care for my health and wellbeing and want to take the time to get it right.
Craig explained that his mental health is improving daily with support from Derbyshire Healthcare, though he isn't fully recovered yet - he is hopeful for the future.
“Men don’t talk - that’s where I went wrong. I didn’t tell my partner what I was thinking and tried to bottle it up. I kept everything to myself instead of speaking to someone, and it only made things worse. Talking about your mental health is so important, because it’s the first step to getting the help you need.”
Mark Powell, Chief Executive at Derbyshire Healthcare, said: “Stories like this are a powerful reminder that mental health can affect anyone, at any time in their life.
"This mental health awareness day, I want to urge anyone who is struggling with their mental health to take the first and most important step which is to reach out for support - no one should feel they have to cope alone.”
Everyone experiences ups and downs at some point but poor mental health is not something that should be experienced alone. There are lots of self-help tips and advice on the NHS’s Every Mind Matters website. And there are also lots of ways to reach out in Derby and Derbyshire if you need someone to talk to – including drop-in centres, safe havens open every night of the week, and a 24/7 local helpline – and these are described in more detail below.
Services to support people with a mental health crisis include:
- Derby Safe Haven - call 0330 0083722 or drop in at 309 Burton Road, Derby, DE23 6AG (4:30pm to 12:30am)
- Chesterfield Safe Haven – call 01246 949410 or drop in 188 North Wingfield Road, Grassmoor, Chesterfield, S42 5EJ (4:30pm to 12:30am)
- Drop in services at Buxton, Ripley and Swadlincote – which are available on Friday evenings and at weekends and are run by Derbyshire Mind
- Derbyshire Mental Health Helpline and Support Service by dialling NHS 111 and choosing “mental health”.
More information about these and other services can be found on the Derby and Derbyshire emotional health and wellbeing website: https://derbyandderbyshireemotionalhealthandwellbeing.uk/adult/getting-help-in-a-crisis
They are also listed on the Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust website: https://www.derbyshirehealthcareft.nhs.uk/getting-help/help-mental-health-crisis.
*Name has been changed to protect the identity and confidentiality of the patient.
