Flight Sergeant Tracy Barrow has started an unusual challenge at RAF Benson this week as part of a campaign to promote mental wellbeing awareness.
Tracy has served with the RAF Police for 20 years and is also a Co-Responder so she has seen first-hand how issues with mental wellbeing can impact individuals and families. Depression and other mental health issues are often seen as a metaphorical black dog, following the individual at all times and casting a shadow over their life. To help raise awareness of mental health issues and encourage open conversation, Tracy will be carrying a big black dog around with her at all times. The challenge will see individuals from across the station taking turns to carry around the big black dog, which has been nicknamed Sirius.
Depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health issues are often hidden illnesses. Having experienced her own mental health struggle following an operational deployment in 2012, Tracy believes that she was fortunate to have a support network to help her through those difficult times. She says “I didn’t ask for help because of the stigma. Reducing the stigma of mental health is the most important thing. It’s okay not to be okay”.
While raising awareness, Tracy has also chosen to fundraise for the RAF Benevolent Fund and PTSD Resolution, who both provide support and help to Service personnel and veterans with mental health conditions. Setting herself a target of £500, she had exceeded this within days of the challenge beginning.
Tracy will hand Sirius over to Group Captain Adam Wardrope next week. Adam explained why he is keen to support the challenge.
As the Station Commander, it’s my responsibility to ensure the thousands of people who live and work at RAF Benson are supported. While we actively encourage everyone to talk about mental health and wellbeing in the Armed Forces, it’s not always easy for people to appreciate the difficulties that others go through. I hope that Tracy’s fantastic initiative will help promote understanding and empathy amongst our team and encourage open and honest conversations to take place.
Group Captain Adam Wardrope - Station Commander
When you’re not feeling your best mentally, even the simplest of tasks can be a struggle. Even on her first day, Tracy found that she struggled to do tasks that she had previously taken for granted. With COVID-19 still impacting on the lives of millions around the UK, she thought about delaying the challenge but decided to press ahead as, now more than ever, people are struggling to maintain mental wellbeing and often suffering in silence.
It is hoped that other units will also take on the challenge and that Sirius, the big black dog, will work its way across RAF stations around the UK. Each will be able to use the opportunity to enhance understanding, increase empathy and encourage communication on mental wellbeing.
