Patrick Shah-Regan has been working as a site manager in the construction industry for nearly 20 years. During that time, he has been involved in the delivery of several new builds, fit-out and refurbishment projects for customers such as the Tesco, Sainsburys, Coop, Odeon Cinema, Department of Education and Lloyds Banking Group. My current employer is Wates Smartspace and I have been working for them for the last 2 year mainly on the Ministry of Justice account.
Acknowledging Men’s Health Week, Patrick has opened up about what it’s like to live with a mental health condition known as bi-polar, and how it affects his everyday life.
With one in 50 people in the UK living with bipolar, I think it’s important for there to be an understanding of how it can affect people. Bi-polar is a severe mental illness characterised by extreme mood swings and changes in energy levels.
This means I can have long or short periods of stability, followed by extreme highs but can then sink into a deep depression. It can also have a big effect on loved ones,” said Patrick.
“Having been hospitalised twice, I’m on the road of recovery where I have made some personal discoveries about myself. A side condition during my episodes means I cannot lie to myself and this has enabled me to make numerous emotional breakthroughs.
Some of my emotional experiences are for just for a few minutes but they help me realise what really matters. I am to able look back and understand why and where these emotions have occurred and why I must continue to get back on my feet,” he added.
Patrick recently held a toolbox talk with his site team to raise awareness of the condition and to help remove the stigma around mental health.
“It was quite liberating to speak openly and honestly about bi-polar and I was pleased at how engaged everyone was, and the feedback I received. It means my colleagues now have the knowledge to understand me and others that are living with the bi-polar. Opening up has also made me feel more comfortable with being myself at work and I feel very fortunate to work with such great people.”
Thanks to a great team and his loving wife, Panchali, Patrick is able to manage his condition and is growing from strength to strength in managing life with bi-polar.
Full Audiobook version of my Bipolar Paper