Ross is an 'inspirational force for good'

A THORNBURY woman who overcame her own mental health issues and set up a workplace scheme to help others has been recognised in the New Year Honours list.

Rosslyn Hill has been awarded the British Empire Medal for her work at the Abbey Wood Ministry of Defence establishment, where she is an occupational health advisor in a team that supports 10,000 staff.

Ross has worked for the Civil Service for 38 years, but it was only when she moved to the Abbey Wood, home of the Defence Equipment and Support organisation, in 2006 that she noticed others around her with mental heath issues, and decided to do something about it.

She said: “For the first 20 years I was a quiet thing, with long-term mental health issues dating back to my childhood.

"I was too nervous to make myself known - I kept my head down and got on with the job.

"But with chronic anxiety, my communication skills were always an issue. I found my voice in about 2010."

Ross researched mental health and well-being, set up a committee, hosted workplace health days and created an educational session on promoting positive mental health.

In 2014 she became the first trained mental health first aider (MHFA) in Defence Equipment and Support and secured funding for a small cohort of MHFA’s to support the organisation.

Ross said: “My friends and colleagues are all very proud and pleased I have been honoured in this way.

"I just love that I have inspired a decade of staff to openly discuss mental health, stress and identify positives in this stressful environment.

"I am overwhelmed by the award.

"I just felt I was doing my job and I am humbled that people think this highly of me."

Her line manager John Taylor said until Ross started her work, awareness of mental health issues and how to spot them had been limited.

He said: "It still felt like a bit of a taboo subject, to be perfectly honest, so it was with some trepidation that myself and some of my colleagues entered the room!

"With low expectations, what actually followed was liberating, uplifting and has left a lasting impression on myself and, no doubt, many others.

"Having been there at the outset of her work and having felt the benefit ever since, I would like to thank Ross for helping me and so many others in DE&S to manage and live our work lives more safely."

John said Ross has been "an inspirational force for good in DE&S", driven by a desire to help others.