I read with great satisfaction and pride that my colleague Saffron Johnson has been named the Wellness Leader of the Year for Watford.

Saffron has supported me develop my role as mental health champion from the outset.

Some 18 months ago Saffron helped me establish Watford Wellness – as a way to engage with Watford businesses on the subject and promote mental health well being in the work place. And now she helps me run my weekly well being webinars. She also supports the Mental Health First Aider (MHFA) training programme initiated by our MP Dean Russell.

Together we are on mission to reduce the stigma linked to mental health issues. Our mantra is “It is OK not to be OK - Let’s Talk About It”.

In your article you mention Watford Wellness Gateway (WWG). This is an online module we have developed to encourage individuals to find someone (MH Ambassador) to talk in total confidence whenever they feel low rather than suffer alone in silence. Anyone from a local business or community group interested in this subject can register as an ambassador. If you are an MHFA you would be particularly welcome because you would adding real value to WWG.

Watford Wellness Gateway is available online but is not yet fully operational. However individuals can still register as ambassadors or practitioners at watfordwellness.org.

Mental health has been a taboo subject for far too long. We need to make asking for stress relief as easy as asking for pain relief.

Rabi Martins

Community mental health champion