Feeling Extraordinary with James McCann
This month, #FeelExtraordinary was launched as an initiative focusing on enhancing physical, mental and emotional wellbeing through highlighting music that evokes positivity. The initiative by A Day for The Beaches, and supported by One Eighty ambassadors Ocean Alley, will raise necessary funds for three charities including One Eighty, Cerebral Palsy Alliance and Red Dust.
The One Eighty family felt inspired by the #FeelExtraordinary campaign and therefore as part of Mental Health month this October, we hope to raise awareness of help seeking behaviours, by sharing the extraordinary stories of people who have reached out for help or who have supported others in their moment of need.
Hi James! Can you explain a bit about yourself and what you do for work?
I’m James, I’m 28 and from Newport on the Northern Beaches of Sydney. I’m currently a registered Paramedic employed with NSW Ambulance and stationed at Parramatta in Western Sydney. I have been working with NSW Ambulance for 3.5 years and still learning every day. Previous to this I was an electrician for 7 years and still practice every now and then on my days off.
What made you want to become a first responder?
Coming out of school in year 12 I didn’t even bother to consider university and went straight into a trade. I struggled in a state of limbo at the age of 24 and wanted to push myself with a job that’s challenging and rewarding at the same time. To be honest, I didn’t want to be a sparky anymore, I lacked passion and wanted a change. This drove me to a different career path but keeping the same work/life balance where not every day is the same, the Emergency services was just that. I can happily say I’m very passionate about helping people and will continue to do so for some time as a Paramedic.
How did you first hear about One Eighty?
I first came across One Eighty by finding a sticker randomly at a café, went down the rabbit hole and found this! What I saw was an amazing space closing the gap in the mental health sector for the youth. It was the first organisation I have ever seen that offers the unique style of guidance, information and assistance to those in need.
In your experience, how important is early help-seeking and how often do you see it in your line of work?
As a paramedic, we quickly learn that mental health emergencies do not discriminate. It can affect people of all ages and from all walks of life. In past years, there has been a dramatic increase in mental health awareness and positive changes to the way in which we approach it in the public, removing stigma’s and starting conversations. These services should be sought out early with the same importance just like a respiratory/cardiac/traumatic health problem. If you act early and seek help it will give you a better chance for a positive outcome.
We will attend incidents where people have been suffering for days/weeks/months/years and done nothing about it. Not knowing there is a whole industry out there dedicated to helping them.
As young adults, seeking help early is vital. It’s amazing to see, and very refreshing, when we attend a scene and the person/family in need has already taken steps in the right direction and educated themselves on the disorder/illness/emergency.
Early help-seeking behaviours allow the person to be informed about what they need to do in order to help themselves, their family and others. Recognising triggers, signs/symptoms of mental health emergencies can allow them to be better prepared. I always say to young adults that they are very lucky. There are more services now than ever before available to them.
How does it make you feel knowing you make such an important impact on people’s lives?
Every incident we attend can challenge us in many different ways. Knowing that we can provide that person with assistance and help for their immediate and ongoing care is very rewarding. We get a rare opportunity to be kind to people and have meaningful impacts on them through small conversations.
As a paramedic, you play a vital role in responding to people in their moment of need. Have you ever reached out for help when you need it? What made it hard or what were you afraid of?
I have reached out for help for my own mental health at a time when I was feeling overburdened, depressed and fatigued. It impacted my physical health, relationships and family life. What made seeking help hard was that it was my first time ever recognising that I did need some assistance. I never spoke out or opened up about how I was feeling, I never did and kept my cards close to my chest. I was afraid that I was not going to change or this was the new norm.
How did you overcome this and what was the outcome?
One day I just said to myself I need to stop caring what people think and recognise the impact that my health can have on others. Thankfully it was the services within NSW Ambulance that put me on a path to seek help. I messaged one of our many Peer Support Officers that volunteer throughout our service and they got in contact with me. They assisted me in organising to see my GP, obtain a referral and set an appointment with a psychologist with the session subsidised by Medicare. When I started the conversation with my family I soon discovered that they too have had to seek help in times of need. I was amazed and wish I had known sooner. I felt very supported and reassured knowing that they could relate.
What advice would you give to someone who is afraid of speaking up and asking for help?
Start the conversation early. A step in the right direction, no matter how small is still a positive outcome. Being in tune with your own head space and body to recognise when things are not 100% will allow you seek help early.
Educate yourself. I can’t stress this enough! Take some time to really research and get to know what’s going on. You will realise the amount of evidence to support early interventions rather than delayed is overwhelming. This new knowledge will stay with you forever and assist you in helping others.
Being a first responder can be an intense and emotionally challenging job, what do you do to take care of your own mental wellbeing?
In a high stress environment, very fluid and ever-changing workplace, it can be very demanding on our physical and mental health. NSW Ambulance has taken many steps in improving our approach to staff mental health, wellbeing and physical health, with many staff support initiatives like Peer Support Officers, Chaplains and our own internal psychologists for all staff to access.
I walk (a lot). I listen to music and just walk, no particular reason other than to just get outside by myself and I find that I will destress. I stay active and try to eat healthily. Making sure to see friends/family as much as possible.
With the knowledge I’ve gained, I now try to check in with myself and family/friends about our current mental state and wellbeing. Looking for any signs which indicate a need for change or to be acted on. With Covid-19, work has been stressful, so a two-week get out of Sydney camping trip is going to be very much welcomed.
Interview by Ella Garbett
Edited by Maddie Walsh
Any information on this blog is not a substitute for professional advice. It is written from personal experience and research only. If you are in crisis, go to your nearest emergency room, call lifeline on 13 11 14 or dial 000.