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Catherine Joy White on mental health
Talking openly about mental health can help us feel less alone in what we’re experiencing.
Finding ways to look after ourselves, staying connected to the people around us and remembering that difficult times won’t last forever can all make a difference.
As part of our Famous Voices series, Catherine Joy White, an actor, filmmaker, gender equality advisor and author of This Thread of Gold, shares what she has learnt about looking after her mental wellbeing, the importance of speaking openly about difficult experiences, and the people and moments that have helped her through challenging times.
- Jake Starkey
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Why is it important to you to speak openly about mental health?
That old saying ‘a problem shared is a problem halved’ genuinely has so much truth in it. When you speak out, you allow yourself to share the burden. What is even more powerful though, is that you help encourage other people to do the same.
Talking about what we’re going through can help us feel less alone and make it easier for others to open up, too. You don’t have to have all the answers or know exactly what to say. Sometimes, being honest about how you feel is a meaningful first step.
What has your own journey taught you about looking after your mental wellbeing?
Find that thing that will always bring you joy. For me, it is swimming. I find such peace when I’m in open water.
There’s no single approach that works for everyone. Finding what helps you feel more like yourself can be a good place to start.
Was there a turning point that gave you hope during difficult times?
I did an incredible overnight hike up Scafell Pike once. It was in support of PAPYRUS and so I was surrounded by suicide survivors as well as those who had lost loved ones to suicide. We watched the sun rise from the top of the highest mountain in England and I was just completely filled with hope. All of those people standing together to see another day. I still think about it whenever times feel hard.
Moments like these can stay with us long after they happen, giving us something to hold on to when life feels difficult.
What helps you keep going when life feels particularly challenging?
Moving my body: swimming, running, Pilates. You never feel worse for it! Also checking in with my loved ones. My sisters can make even the lowest point feel okay again. And finding reasons to laugh!
There isn’t always one thing that makes everything feel better. Sometimes it’s movement, a conversation with someone we trust or finding a reason to laugh, even when things are difficult.
Reaching out to the people around us can help us feel supported, particularly when we’re finding things hard to manage on our own.
Are there any daily habits or practices that help protect your mental health?
My daily lake swim was my North Star for a long time. Now, it might be making sure I don’t overload myself, which means knowing when to say no! I also take so much joy in connecting with others. Complimenting a stranger, random chats in a coffee shop. We can all help spread the joy!
Looking after ourselves isn’t always about doing more. Sometimes, it means recognising when we’ve taken on too much, setting boundaries and giving ourselves permission to slow down.
Small moments of connection can matter, too. A friendly conversation or a kind word might seem insignificant, but these everyday interactions can help us feel more connected to the people around us.
What is the most helpful thing someone has said or done to support you through difficult times?
I was very burnt out once and a GP said to me: ‘resilience is about having something to expand into’. I felt that so deeply in my soul.
Resilience isn’t simply about pushing through difficult experiences. It can also mean having the space, support and opportunities we need to recover and move forward.
Recognising when we’re struggling and allowing ourselves time to rest can be just as important as finding the strength to keep going.
If someone reading this is struggling today, what would you want them to hear?
My beautiful friend Kitty Macfarlane wrote an amazing song called Dawn and Dark. In it, she sings: ‘dawn wages war on the dark’. In my family, we also sing a song that goes: ‘weeping may endure for a night, joy comes in the morning.’ The darkness will not last forever. Please know that. Just take it one day at a time and keep going. The sun will rise. Joy will come again. We want you to stay. This world needs you to stay.
If you’re struggling with your mental health or having thoughts of suicide, you don’t have to face things alone. Support is available, and you deserve to be heard.
Thank you to Catherine for sharing her experiences and reflections with us. You can follow her work on Instagram @catherinejoywhite.
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