A former homeworker is seeking views and feedback from the travel industry about his plans to establish a mental health awareness project.
Newcastle-based Michael Gillies aims to boost the understanding of mental health symptoms and how to treat them “through storytelling”.
“I aim to connect with 100 people in the travel industry from a broad spectrum of travel and adventure professionals – travel agents, writers, tour operators, media professionals, B&B owners and anyone in between – to share stories of resilience and vulnerability,” he said.
“Through these stories, we can inspire others, create conversations and change how we view mental health.”
He said that in July 2023, he became one of the thousands of men in the UK who attempted to take their own life.
“At 33, I was living with multiple sclerosis, personal debt, next to no income, losing thousands as a travel agent, and battling severe depression,” he said.
“Thanks to therapy and support, I’m in a better place now, but the shame I felt afterwards made me realise how misunderstood mental health still is.”
He said mental illness and depression can be just as “devastating” as cancer or heart disease, yet people are more aware of what needs to be done with physical problems.
His project hopes to feature short videos from travel professionals who can talk about what they love about their job and the sector – and some of the insecurities they may feel.
He aims to feature the videos on Instagram and a dedicated website that provides information from mental health charities.
Gillies has also consulted two speakers who have talked about mental health issues: Rob Hosking and Jonny Benjamin.
He said his mental health issues can be traced back to school, where his dyslexia meant he struggled with his studies – but he always had a “passion” for travel.
He worked as a hotel chef then became a private chef, working in villas for luxury operator Scott Dunn – then became a baker working on oil rigs.
However, a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis health he could not continue working on the rigs, so he ended up mostly working for his parents’ beauty business and looking at other career options.
Unfortunately, he was unable to make money during his time as a homeworker and is now back with his parents’ business.
“Therapy has completely transformed the way I look at myself. The reason why I’ve struggled so far is because I didn’t grasp how bad my dyslexia was…and my therapist thinks I have ADHD,” he added.
He said working on his project has boosted his confidence so now he is asking for feedback from the travel trade about how to take the idea further.
Anyone interested in finding out more can contact him on michael@mgtravel.co.uk.