Real Story: Mo Bro Ross Opens Up About His Depression

Sometimes it’s hard to spot when a mate is struggling, but there are things you can look out for. Are they missing work or social engagements? Is there a change in their weight or appearance? Maybe their mood has changed recently. We spoke to Mo Bro Ross who told us about his experiences with depression, and he provides an insight into what it was like for him.

Initial struggle

“I went through a period in my life where I wasn’t functioning. I had about seven months off work. I couldn’t face getting out of bed – even brushing my teeth was just a nightmare. I didn’t eat properly and I stopped looking after myself. It was like the shutters were down over my eyes and I couldn’t see. I just wasn’t well, physically or mentally. I went into hospital to get myself right. Shortly after that I went into therapy and actually started talking about it.

Coping mechanisms

“As time goes on from my breakdown, it gets easier. You find ways of coping – you develop a bit of resilience.

“Work has been busy, it’s getting stressful. We’re starting to see the knock-on effect of lockdown now, not only everybody’s physical health but also on their mental health. It’s really taxing, particularly on the emergency services and the A&E departments.

“Lockdown has given me a bit of time to heal in a way. It has given me time, when everyone else has stopped, it’s allowed me to build myself back up, get some routine and structure in my life and get me starting to recover.

“I’ve tried to add more discipline into my life. Making sure I take my medication, prioritise my sleep, eating well, exercising, prioritising work time and taking space away from work when I’m off.

“I’ve found being disciplined and committed to my routine has really helped me. At times when you’re falling apart, you rely in your habits and routines to get you through that. And if you’ve not got them, it’s a recipe for disaster.

“It’s important for anyone who feels their mental health may be starting to decline to start structuring their day to day lives and try get a consistent routine in place.

“If you can set yourself small goals each day, and at the end of the day you’ve achieved that goal, it’s a success. You’ve just got to take it a day at a time and keep rebuilding. It doesn’t matter how many times you fall apart you’ve just got to keep on moving on and building yourself back up.”

Support network

“My biggest rock has been my fiancé. We’ve been together about 8 years and she’s been there for me the whole way. The doctors I worked with were great, but at the end of the day you rely on those close to you. And my fiancé has been that person for me.”

Football

“I played youth professional from 10-16. I played amateur level for my country. And now I’m back trying to get in shape and on the pitch again for the season starting next year.

“The boys in the team are guys that have been by my side from the beginning. We’ve been friends since I was young, so they’re brilliant and have been a massive support.

“Just being amongst the lads, playing football and having a beer, it helps you get away from things a bit.”

***

If you or someone you know is in crisis, or needs emotional support we urge you to head to https://movember.com/getsupport for support options. To speak with someone immediately, contact your local 24-hour support service.