Written by Ashlea Mawby, Communcations Manager & Toads on Roads Coordiator
As far back as I can remember, I’ve always been what people call “highly strung.” It wasn’t until I reached adulthood that I began to understand this constant tension for what it really was, anxiety. For me, it came bundled with depression and OCD (which, for those who don’t know, is also an anxiety disorder).
I want to be clear: this isn’t anyone’s fault. It didn’t happen because of one particular event. It has simply always been there.
Mental health exists on a spectrum, just like anything else related to the brain. Because I come across as a “high functioning” person, people often don’t recognise that I struggle with mental health issues. But this doesn’t mean the suffering is any less real or valid than someone who physically can’t get out of bed in the morning. Ill mental health can present in so many different ways.
Seeking help, whether through medication, therapy, or both, isn’t a sign of failure. In fact, it takes tremendous strength and courage to acknowledge you need support and to take that first step into your healing journey.
Over the years, I’ve encountered some ignorant questions, but one in particular has stuck with me: “What do you have to be depressed about?” That question reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of how depression works.
Here’s the truth: mental illness doesn’t discriminate. You can be rich, successful, surrounded by friends, and still feel crushed under the weight of it. Your background, gender, race, or religion doesn’t matter; it can affect anyone.
Even since losing my Dad unexpectedly towards the end of 2025, I’ve come to realise that even on my hardest days, spending time outside makes a real difference. Whether I’m planting something new in the garden, checking on my pond, or simply pausing to watch the birds and insects go about their day, it helps me slow down, breathe, and feel a little more grounded.
My Dad loved nature too, and I’ve inherited his old Ladybird nature books, which are now treasured by my daughter. Being able to share that love of the natural world across generations feels incredibly special.
There’s something especially soothing about being in nature. It’s like a quiet reminder that it’s okay to take things one moment at a time. More and more, research is backing this up, showing just how powerful nature can be in supporting our mental well-being. But for me, it’s not just science, it’s something I feel deeply every time I reconnect with the world outside.
If I could leave you with just one message, it would be this: please be kind. Mental health issues are real and often invisible. Your small gestures- making someone a coffee, checking in with a text, listening without judgment- can make a world of difference.
Each year, Mental Health Awareness Week reminds us to check in with ourselves and each other. It’s a time to break the silence, challenge the stigma, and foster open conversations.
Whether you’re navigating anxiety, supporting someone with depression, or simply learning to cope with life’s stressors, this week is an opportunity to reflect, connect, and grow.
Mental health is just as important as physical health. By sharing our stories and showing compassion, we can help build a society where no one feels like they have to hide their struggles.
Let’s use this week to listen, learn, and support each other.
Because mental health matters—every single day.
Ash x
Mental Health at Froglife
At Froglife 40% of our staff are living with a long-term mental or physical health condition. This week we are thinking about mental health in particular and how best we can support all our staff and volunteers.
Our Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy continues to guide our approach, and we review and strengthen it each year. During 2026, we have continued to build wellbeing conversations into our day-to-day working practices. One positive step has been embedding dedicated wellbeing discussions into supervision sessions, giving staff regular and accessible opportunities to talk with their manager about any support they may need.
These conversations have proved extremely valuable, helping managers to adapt workloads, working patterns and priorities in ways that better support individual wellbeing. We have also continued to improve our induction processes so that new staff can discuss communication preferences, working styles and healthy boundaries from the outset, helping to establish positive and sustainable ways of working.
We recognise the importance of spending time in nature and maintaining meaningful face-to-face connections in an increasingly digital world. Our species help too – we really enjoy sharing photos of frogs, toads, adders and our outdoor adventures in staff meetings and blogs. Across Froglife, opportunities to work outdoors, connect with colleagues and engage with local communities remain an important part of supporting wellbeing.