Recorded on World Mental Health Day, ,Geoff Webb, CEO of the Grounds Management Association (GMA) opens up about the mental health challenges he faced during the past two years.

Like many businesses and organisations, the pandemic hit the GMA hard, its showpiece event SALTEX, a major contributor to the Association's income , was cancelled in 2020, and the 2021 event was in doubt until the last minute.

Running the organisation, albeit with a strong team, took its toll on Geoff. "I couldn't see how my mental capacity was deteriorating, although others could" he says.

Running alongside his mental issues, Geoff's health was also to take another turn. He suffered a heart attack, had to be taken to hospital - during which the paramedics in the ambulance were talking to him about the turf at Wembley!

Geoff describes his experiences in a self-deprecating way, but it is clear that he has re-evaluated his work/life balance, particularly in these uncertain times and urges others to do so.

(01:43) Managing SALTEX during the pandemic

(09:43) #groundsweek and lateral thinking

(17:35) Diversity in turfcare

(20:30) Onset of mental health issues

(30:23) Recovery and industry wellbeing

LINKS

Read Geoff's story by Samantha White on memcom website

The Samaritans Tel: 116 123

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