©Copyright Legal Women Limited 2025
Legal Women c/o Benham Publishing Limited, Aintree Building, Aintree Way, Aintree Business Park Liverpool, Merseyside L9 5AQ
The Power of Community in My Mental Health Journey: Why We Are Stronger Together-Charlie Moore
My mental health journey
Mental health has always been a part of my personal narrative, shaped by life experiences from an early age. However, I truly began to notice significant challenges with my mental wellbeing when transitioning into a new chapter of adulthood. I had just started my paralegal apprenticeship, a role I am proud to say I have now qualified in, while simultaneously navigating several major life changes. I moved from a small, high street firm where community was deeply embedded into a large corporate organisation where it was easy to feel disconnected. I also moved out of the family home for the first time.
During this period, I found myself struggling to enjoy everyday life. I felt lost, unfulfilled, and often overwhelmed with sadness. I would experience unexpected bouts of crying, frequent panic attacks, and constant worry over even the smallest of things. A contributing factor to my declining mental health was, unfortunately, the management environment I found myself in. But, as I reflect back, it was my community, the people around me, who truly helped carry me through that difficult time.
The Impact on My Life and Overall Wellbeing
The impact on my mental health was profound. Despite appearing confident and composed on the outside, something that often comes with being "high-functioning", internally I was battling an anxiety disorder that left me feeling isolated and exhausted. The emotional weight affected my relationships, my ability to be fully present at work, and my overall sense of self-worth.
Mental health challenges also intertwined with my experiences of managing Endometriosis and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), chronic conditions that bring their own mental and physical strain. The constant, invisible battle of managing pain while upholding professional standards further complicated my mental health journey. Yet through it all, one thing became increasingly clear: the importance of having a strong, supportive community around me.
How I Manage
Reaching out for help was the first crucial step. I contacted my GP, who prescribed Sertraline and Propranolol, medications that became a lifeline, giving me the stability to navigate day-to-day life. Alongside medication, I leaned heavily on my support network: my partner, friends, work mentors, and colleagues.
Today, I continue to manage my mental health with a combination of medication, regular therapy sessions, and maintaining open communication with those around me. Therapy has been particularly powerful, helping me to better understand my triggers and develop healthier coping mechanisms.
Community remains central to my wellbeing. Recently, during a period where I found myself struggling again, the incredible support from individuals such as Colin Shaw from Norton Rose Fulbright and Simon P Marshall from TBD Marketing reminded me just how vital it is to stay connected. Their kind messages and recognition of my withdrawal from social media showed me that true community looks like people checking in, even when you do not ask for help.
Suggestions for Those Who Struggle with Mental Health
If I could offer advice to anyone currently struggling, it would be this: reach out. Whether to a healthcare professional, a trusted friend, or a colleague, opening up about your feelings is not a weakness, it is a strength. Mental health struggles can be incredibly isolating, but connection truly is the antidote to loneliness.
Another important reminder is that medication, therapy, or simply asking for help does not make you "less than", it makes you human. High-functioning individuals often mask their internal battles, especially in high-pressure professions like law, but that does not mean the battles are not real.
Lastly, I urge everyone to value and nurture the communities around them. Community is not just about being surrounded by people, it is about being seen, heard, and supported. Whether it is your workplace, your friends, or professional mentors, those connections can be life-saving.
At my current firm, I am grateful every day for the open dialogue and support systems in place surrounding mental wellbeing. It makes a world of difference to work in an environment where mental health is not a taboo subject, but a part of everyday conversation.
By being open we can break the stigma, foster compassion, and create communities where everyone feels safe to be themselves, struggles and all.
Charlie Moore
Senior Paralegal
Kingsley Napley LLP
https://www.linkedin.com/in/charliemoore16/
May 2025