59. Bipolar and Loud

Are things actually changing? Today’s podcast episode is with Phil Schofield (not that one), CEO of Ripple, a SharePoint software company. Phil describes himself as ‘bipolar and loud’, openly speaking about, and being an advocate for, mental health. Phil describes how his work/life balance has shifted, the day-to-day of his mental health and how he views it as systems driven and being better because of, rather than in spite of, his mental health. Also discussed: (1:12) Introductions (7:00) Moving away from the misconceptions of mental health and focus on specific disorders (10:00) Phil’s mental health day-to-day (specifically in lockdown/working from home), the stresses of usually mundane things and trying to adapt, having kids at home and how hours have changed (15:23) The difference in working hours in a team and how to communicate these differences, expectations of the new working situation (22:50) Managing work/life balance, basic mental health upkeep, the difference levels of experience with isolation (29:59) The difficulties of physical distance, how mental health can be classed as ‘work’ (35:53) Phil’s routine and how he manages his mental health, how our mental health can affect those around us (43:28) Online dates/video calls, re-socialising and the societal impact of coronavirus (51:55) Seeing mental health as systems driven and the issues that may arise (1:00:03) Being better because of, rather than in spite of, mental health (1:03:10) Attempting to hire apprentices and the hiring process, how indecision is affecting people, being proactive about mental health (1:10:01) How work is changing and if it will stick upon lockdown being lifted, adopting an integrated lifestyle (1:18:50) Finding positives, changes that may be made around the NHS, making conscious decisions (1:26:27) How things like food purchases will be looked at differently from now on (1:32:29) Prioritising different things and the way we approach things, workplace culture, good habits coming from change and whether it will be long lasting, metaphors for mental health (1:47:17) Reframing situations (1:49:36) Closing comments   Phil's LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/ripplephil   Welcome to Dark Coffee, the podcast that starts engaging and approachable conversations around mental health.     Join wellbeing advocate Alice Lyons as she attempts to normalise the conversation around mental health, from suicide to satisfaction and everything in between. Dark Coffee aims to create a safe space to explore dark topics with curiosity, compassion and courage to empower people to build their mental strength, resilience and sense of connection. Join the conversation by sharing this episode, subscribing to the podcast or following Alice on Linked In.   Your reviews will help Dark Coffee reach more people. If you like what you've heard, please consider leaving a review to help spread the conversation further.   Suicide and Emotional Support Organisations - UK   Samaritans: Confidential suicide discussion and emotional support. Call - 116123.  Email -  jo@samaritans.org. Website - www.samaritans.org   Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)Practical information, crisis care, suicide prevention and emotional support for men,  Helpline: 0800 58 58 58 Open daily from 5pm - 11pm | Webchat: thecalmzone.net/help/webchat   NHS 111 ServiceOffer urgent mental health signposting.Call 111 Open all day every day Visit 111.nhs.uk   Mind: Information and signposting service around mental health conditions. We're open 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday (except for bank holidays). Infoline: 0300 123 3393 | Email: info@mind.org.uk | Text: 86463