Mental Health Awareness Week 2025: Allison

Harrods: Hi Allison, thank you so much for taking the time to talk with us. To start us off, what does mental well-being mean to you?
Allison: For me, mental well-being means being able to wake up each day with the resilience and ability to get through it. It’s that inner strength that helps you move forward, no matter what’s going on.

Harrods: What does maintaining your own mental well-being look like for you?
Allison: I try to be a really positive person, but the truth is, you can’t be positive all the time, and that’s okay. I’ve learned that I really need fresh air to feel grounded. Even just walking around the corner can help me start the day right. I’d say the real turning point for me came in 2017, when I was diagnosed with cancer. That’s when I truly understood how vital mental well-being is. Despite having a strong community around me, my faith, my family, I realised I needed something just for myself. One of the simplest things that brought me peace was going to charity shops. That little routine, just once a week, was part of how I coped.

Harrods: That’s really powerful. So taking those small steps, like a walk or a visit to a shop, helped you?
Allison: Absolutely. After one of my operations, I remember telling my mum, “I need to get out.” I barely had any energy, but we took the bus to Romford and just walked around a bit. That was my turning point. It reminded me how important the little things are. You don’t need something huge to feel better. A quick chat with my Dad on the phone or a prayer together could give me a lift. Those tiny acts of care made all the difference.

Harrods: Can you share a moment when you discovered the importance of taking care of your mental well-being?
Allison: Definitely during my cancer journey. Before that, I didn’t give it much thought. If I had a bad day, I’d just brush it off. But during treatment, my doctor recommended I speak to a counsellor. At first, I thought, “I’m fine, I don’t need to talk to anyone.” But she said, “You might be okay now, but it helps to speak to someone.”

And I’m so glad I did. I saw a counsellor once a month for a year, just one hour each time, and it made a world of difference. It was a space outside of family and friends where I could really open up. They helped me see I was already doing the right things, but I just needed a bit of guidance. That support helped me get through the darkest moments.

Harrods: That’s such an important reminder. We don’t have to go through things alone. But at the same time, sometimes being alone is what we need. Did you find that balance helped?
Allison: Definitely. I had days where I just wanted to be by myself, and that was okay. Sometimes, society tells us we have to keep going or stay strong, but what I needed was quiet. Just to think. Just to be. And in that space, I could start to make sense of things.

That time alone helped me appreciate the people around me even more, my parents, especially my mum, who stayed by my side through everything. But I also learned how much I needed to understand myself.

Harrods: That brings us nicely to the theme of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week: community. Who would you say has been your main source of support?
Allison: My family, without a doubt. But I also want to give a special shoutout to my church family. They stepped up in a way that was so gentle, so thoughtful. They weren’t overwhelming or constantly checking in, it was the small things. A kind message. A phone call. Dropping off food so I didn’t have to cook. Someone once told me to try turmeric for the nausea I was dealing with. Just those thoughtful gestures made such a difference.

At the time, my extended family in Ecuador didn’t know what I was going through, I didn’t want to worry them. So my church family became that replacement. They supported not just me, but also my parents. And I’ll never forget that.

Harrods: That’s beautiful. And now that you’re on the other side of that experience, have you found yourself becoming that support for others?
Allison: Yes, and I think that’s so important. Once I was well enough, I made a point of reaching out to people. A simple message like “How are you?” or “Thinking of you” can go a long way. And sometimes, people reply saying, “Actually, I’m not doing great.”

Mental health can be invisible. You never know what someone is carrying. So I’ve learned to give space, to check in, and just be there in a quiet way, the same way others were there for me.

Harrods: That’s such a meaningful reflection. You’ve turned your experience into something that uplifts others. And I love how it shows that community isn’t just about receiving support, it’s about becoming that support when you can.

Now, looking back at everything you’ve been through, what would you say to your younger self, the Allison who felt like her world had just turned upside down?
Allison: I’d say, you’re stronger than you think. And it’s okay to have days when you’re not okay. Don’t feel guilty for resting. Don’t be afraid to lean on others. Take one step at a time, and trust that things will get better. You’ll laugh again. You’ll walk into charity shops again. You’ll get married. Life will feel full again. You just need to keep going, gently.

Harrods: Thank you so much, Allison. This has been such an honest and powerful conversation. Thank you again for sharing so openly, and for reminding us of the power of small acts, strong communities, and quiet strength.