Mental Health and Wellbeing

My name is Will Cardale and I work in the travel industry. I live close to London and value and appreciate London's diversity and am proud to be LGBTQ+. 

It would be great to feature photos of public faces or images of the LGBTQ+ community on TFL art or Pride themed buses/tubes with who have contributed towards the community's achievements and/or are happy to be joyful, visible and proud of themselves.

Despite the years of injustice, having to hide unfairly and not being recognised alongside other citizens, I believe representation matters hugely in 2026. 

We are one gigantic human community intertwined together like a beehive, passing each other in the streets, sometimes acknowledging each other's faces, sometimes smiling at each other & other occasions feeling ignored, maybe lonely or disconnected by overuse of smartphones.

Yet, we and everyone else live together on the planet & see, relate and interact with each other's identities every day. We all matter and nobody should feel they dont matter or aren't visible-young or retired, successful or starting out. 

I trust my ideas are of use for Pride month and TFL. I would love to hear any comments or thoughts.

 Happy Pride & let's be kind when we can! 

hmmm, when I think about mental health and patien wellbein,  I'm drawn to some  professional practices that I find concerning, I'll explain.

When information is written in the margin about a patient let it be based on facts alone, personal opinions are subjective and at times inaccurate, and to those who read it, please do fact check. For the unsuspecting patient, this is information written about you, that you will never see in your records, not even with a SARs.

Conducting recorded, video or third party patient appointments without the patient knowledge or expressed permission, is a violation of human rights anywhere else, why not in this setting.

Even though once qualified as a GP you are not required to update skills and knowledge, do it anyway, showing up as the best version of yourself can only enhance your patient better health and wellbeing.

On another note; It's important that all Londoners engage in an activity that requires movement, regardless of age.   Walk, swim or sit in a chair. As a group very motivational on your own, no problem use a nhs app and get started and boost your mood. Think Captin Tom. 

If it's hot put on your sun cream, if it's cold put on your coat, go out and speak to someone at least once a week at your nearest library. Human contact and movement are a free and necessary component to mental health and wellbeing.

The local library and library based reading groups are really important for mental health.  They divert attention of young people away from the manosphere, addictive computer gaming and dangerous online influencers.  Also great if there is a Foyle's or a Waterstone's in every town.

I try not to give in to despair, as this is the work of the devil. Having faith is very important for peace of mind. Trusting in God, that He knows us, loves us and that in all things, and in all ways, He works for the good of humanity. Suffering is temporary, even if it lasts years/decades. Where there is suffering, there is divinity. I try to draw comfort from the suffering undertaken willingly by Our Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ on the cross, and that he did it out of love for me (and everyone else). It can be hard to grasp/ comprehend, but it is very humbling and helps keep me grounded. I pray and try to enjoy Christian art and music as these are so beautiful and uplifting. I like the prayer attributed to St. Francis of Assisi. 

Mental health is something I’ve learned you have to actively protect, especially living in a fast-paced city like London.

For me, it starts with creating space. Even something simple like going for a walk, switching off notifications, or taking time away from constant noise makes a huge difference. Canary Wharf can be busy, but even there you can find quiet moments if you look for them.

Staying connected is also key. Whether it’s a quick call, meeting someone for coffee, or just checking in with people around me — those small interactions matter more than we think.

I also believe having purpose helps a lot. Working on projects, helping others, and building something meaningful gives structure and direction, especially during stressful periods.

When it comes to supporting others, I try to be present. Sometimes people don’t need solutions — they just need someone to listen without judgment.

At the end of the day, it’s the small daily habits that really add up. You don’t need big changes, just consistency.

Recently I have joined discussion groups on Ravelry which are about yarn crafts. It's lovely. These types of things must exist for other types of craft too. I recommend them. British Banter is a Ravlery board for us Brits in particular, and covers knitting, crochet, weaving etc. but also has strands where you can post about almost anything and get friendly answers. Everyone there is supportive!

I try to remain positive & focus on at least one good thing a day rather than something that may have not gone well. I try to get out into the open on regular basis - even just a walk down the road - it does clear your mind a bit & blows cobwebs away.

Maybe do something 'nice' for someone else: volunteer for a charity perhaps, give something back to your community. Or even just say hello to someone