Whether we’re stricken by anxiety at the very thought of a work presentation or feeling low for no apparent reason, sharing our own experiences with others is a powerful way to normalise all kinds of mental health problems, face down stigma and encourage others to speak up.

I’ll never forget how I felt before that keynote speech in Bulgaria. Since then, the symptoms I experience before I speak in public haven’t changed, but the way that I manage my anxiety has.

Feelings of anxiety are normal. It’s easy to forget that this is the case when waves of anxiety come rushing in. But, these days, before stepping out onto the stage (and often at multiple points during presentations), I make a conscious effort to remind myself that my symptoms are an important part of my body’s natural stress response. A moderate amount of stress helps us to function at our best – whether we’re on stage, in an interview or in an exam.

I wish I could tell my past self not to feel ashamed of my anxiety. Anxiety is normal: it’s what we do about it that counts. I’ve made it my career to help others find ways to better manage their mental health. And there are things every one of us can do to move the dial and help more people access support. The first is being honest about our struggles, no matter how small we might think they are. How you are feeling might resonate deeply with somebody else. The other is to encourage those closest to us to take that step to seek help if they need it, so that they get the care they need and we help end the stigma for good.

“I’ve been a therapist for 25 years. That doesn’t stop me from struggling with overwhelming anxiety”