To mark Time to Talk Day 2024, Health & Protection spoke to Joe Woof, customer conduct lead at Aviva, about navigating a two decade long journey of “toxicity, destruction and deep depressive thoughts,” initially not being comfortable taking leave to tackle these problems and the importance of having a supportive employer.
Teenage beginnings
“Looking back, I remember experiencing addiction and associated mental health challenges from my teenage years,” Joe Woof, customer conduct lead – general insurance personal lines at Aviva (pictured with son Oliver) reveals.
These challenges, Woof explains, were linked to experiences at the time that he did not really understand or know how to deal with.
“Although I didn’t recognise them as mental health challenges at the time,” he continues.
“I do remember acknowledging that my perception of my behaviours and feelings were different to those of my friends.
“Since then, for me and those around me, it’s been a 20-plus year journey and cycle of toxicity, destruction and deep depressive thoughts, intertwined with increasingly sustained periods of abstinence and recovery.”
Stigma around taking leave
Despite the severity and prolonged nature of his situation, Woof has not always felt able to take time away with the stigma of mental health a key concern.
In particular, Woof noted that because he did not have a visible illness taking leave even at his lowest point still felt a bit uncomfortable.
“I didn’t have a virus or a broken leg, I just didn’t feel like I could work because of what was going on in my head,“ he continues.
“That was about as good a job I could do at articulating why I needed time and space.
“That was more than enough for Aviva though. They allowed me to take the time and space I needed without having to worry about a difficult conversation or how we were going to pay our mortgage,“ he adds.
Creating a supportive environment
On his return to work, Woof explains the company managed to create an environment in which he feels comfortable to talk openly about his recovery and the support he needed, including a phased return to work.
“Without this supportive environment I would have either carried on trying to work through all this or attempted to mask what was going on as something else, something with less of an associated stigma,“ he says.
“Both would have resulted in poorer outcomes for everyone.
“The support allowed me to prioritise my recovery. I needed the time, space and support to focus on my own wellbeing above everything and everyone in my life.
“Without this support, we’d all lose and that includes Aviva.
“I felt like they immediately stepped aside without question, giving me the time and space I needed to focus on my recovery and get back to the Joe that they and everyone else needed, without having to worry about my income.”
But Woof agrees it was not just about the support he received.
He notes line manager training improved the level of mental wellbeing support he received, and gave his leaders the confidence to help him.
“All people leaders in the company must complete mental health training which makes a massive difference,“ he says.
“Our leaders can recognise signs to look out for and know where to go for additional support and people are actively encouraged to talk about their own mental health.“
Feeling grateful
And taking his story up to the present day, Woof reports he is doing better today as he navigates the challenge of bringing up his two sons.
“I’m tired. I have my two wonderful (and demanding) boys Rory and Oliver to thank for that,” he continues.
“Although the 4:30am get ups take their toll, there were many times where I didn’t think I would be there for them.
“So, despite the sleep deprivation I feel very grateful, for my boys and for everyone and everything else that helps me to continue to prioritise my recovery and the team effort it needs to be.”