In January, Helen’s doctor suggested signing her up to an NHS initiative called “social prescribing”.
A woman who was prescribed cold water swimming to treat her depression says the activity has “saved her life”. Helen Downham, 37, went through a series of traumatic events between 2019 and 2022, including leaving a relationship, losing her job and breaking her leg.
The single mother of one was already suffering from mental health issues but said events, exacerbated by the pandemic, led her to contemplate taking her own life. Helen, from Warmley, Bristol, was prescribed medication for depression and anxiety, which she said did not help.
Then in January, her doctor suggested enrolling her in a National Health Service An initiative called “social prescribing” connects people with activities, groups and services in their community. She was recommended a six-week course with a local women’s cold water swimming group and decided to give it a try.
After just one session, Helen was shocked at the physical and mental impact it had on her, and was instantly hooked. She now goes at least twice a week, has made loads of new friends, and for the first time in years, no longer “dreads getting up in the morning.”
Helen, who is currently unemployed, said: “When my mental health was at its worst, I hated everything and didn’t want to be here any more. The doctors upped my medication and told me to exercise, but the pills made me numb and I couldn’t leave the house.”
“But when cold water swimming was mentioned, a little spark lit up in my head. At first, the cold took my breath away, but I loved it and never looked back.”
“It’s a real blessing. After swimming, my head is much clearer, calmer and I feel very happy. Before, I would isolate myself and never want to leave the house. Now I get so excited when I go swimming with my friends that I can’t sleep the night before.”
“It has changed my life completely. It has saved my life.”
Helen, who has a 14-year-old daughter, said she went through a difficult breakup in December 2019. She had already suffered from anxiety and depression but says it got worse after leaving her partner as she found herself in limbo.
In October 2020, she was made redundant from her beloved job as an aged care support worker. She said: “Losing my job was the worst thing that ever happened to me. My job was my life.”
After registering to claim Universal CreditIn 2021, she had several problems with her social housing. She thought things couldn’t get any worse until she broke her right leg while walking her dog in March 2022.
Helen said: “That was the final straw. I couldn’t leave the house for weeks and developed severe agoraphobia.”
“It got to the point where my mental health was so bad that I didn’t want to be there anymore. I thought if anything else happened, that would be it – I would end my life.”
Her medication dosage was increased and her doctor recommended that she “do more exercise” but this had no effect. Eventually her doctor signed her up for the “social prescribing” initiative, suggesting that she might benefit from an activity in her community.
Helen was not convinced, but she was quick to respond to the suggestion of swimming in cold water, as previously recommended by a friend. In January this year, she attended her first session with the women-only group, based in Bradley Stoke, Bristol, and loved it.
Helen said: “When I first went, I didn’t know what to expect. It was a shock, it took my breath away because it was so cold. Every part of my body was cold, but I acclimatised very quickly. When I got home, I felt tired, but I noticed that I felt much clearer, mentally speaking, and I was very calm.”
Since then, she has continued with her original group and has also joined another one, and swims in cold water at least twice a week. She has been able to make many new friends and improve her health and mental wellbeing, and says that it has changed her life.
She said: “I think it’s a combination of the cold water and the social aspect of seeing your friends in the group. It relaxes you and reduces your stress levels. It works wonders; it’s changed my life.”
Helen now advocates for the NHS social prescribing programme and wants more people to be aware of the benefits it can bring. “Most people I speak to have never heard of social prescribing, but it’s a wonderful concept,” she says.
“I still have mental health issues that I struggle with, but I’m not afraid to get up in the morning and I look forward to the time when I can swim again. I couldn’t defend it more – it has completely changed my life and saved me.”
