3 minute read
Moving Mountains
Talking Therapies team manager Rachel Munn is a trained psychotherapist. She has helped people cope with mental health issues but she needed help herself after she had a heart attack at 32 weeks pregnant with her second daughter, due to a rare genetic condition. After a long physical recovery she began worrying about her health, admitting she was in a bad place.
“I became obsessed with my health and was constantly watchful for signs something was wrong with my heart again. I don’t think I was present enough for my girls.”
Rachel soon realised she needed to follow her own advice. She would keep a ‘thought diary’ of fears and wrote down reasons not to worry next to them. “Therapy and mindfulness helped tooI’d identify negative thoughts but then try to refocus my attention elsewhere, reducing the battle I had with these thoughts.”
“I benefited most by focusing on solutions - thinking about what I could do, rather than what I couldn’t. I started off with tiny steps to challenge myself - sitting up in a chair for a short time, walking upstairs and then eventually walking to the lamp post outside my house.”
Short walks gradually became longer rambles, often with a supportive group of friends and daughters Evelyn, now nine, and Ettie, five. After checking with her doctors that they felt it was safe, Rachel was determined she was no longer going to live in fear and rediscovered her love of hillwalking.
“I had built myself up steadily but even now I have the fleeting thought of ‘What if something happens?’, especially when I’m out on my own. From day one I focused on reframing that fear into gratitude.
I am just so grateful to be able to be so active again because there was a time when I thought it would never be possible.
Hiking has been a huge part of my recovery - as my confidence has grown, so have the hills I’ve climbed. I know now how much is within my power to change how I feel.
Rachel shares the joys of hiking online: @hearty_hiker
First steps
Rachel recommends these routes for new hikers:
• Moel Famau Short Circular – a 6km circular trail near Ruthin, Denbighshire
• Lud’s Church and the Roaches in the Peak District - a moderately challenging 12.5 km circular trail
• Chrome Hill and Dragon’s Back in Derbyshire – a challenging 14km circular trail with spectacular views.
What are talking therapies?
Different types of psychological treatments for mental and emotional problems like stress, anxiety and depression. They all involve working with a trained therapist. For some problems and conditions, one type of talking therapy may be better than another.
The therapist helps you understand and cope with the problems you're having. This may be one to one, in a group, online, by phone, with your family, or with your partner. Different talking therapies also suit different people.
Talking therapies are available through the NHS. You can refer yourself direct to a NHS talking therapies service without a referral from a GP. If you prefer, see a GP and they can refer you and share relevant information about you.
Visit merseycare. nhs.uk/talkingtherapies
On track to give back
Therapy helped Rachel get her life back on track and she’s now fundraising for Mersey Cares NHS Charity to give back to the services who support people’s mental health. She completed the sponsored Three Peaks Challenge in 2024 and will take on the charity’s Snowdon at Night climb in August.
