Surviving or thriving" is this year's theme for mental health week set by the Mental Health Foundation. Everyone experiences mental ill-health and mental wellness at points in their life. For me, thriving rather than surviving means gaining balance in different areas of my life and maximising opportunities available to me. I work in mental health care and I have personal and familial experience of mental illness. I feel, this year, more than ever, due to the inspiring stigma reduction campaigns, people are able to speak out safely about their survival experiences, and this is beneficial to enable them to thrive and share with others who may need a hopeful connection. My Journey This year is the 10th anniversary of my mum's death, although I have little memory of my mum being physically and mentally well, what I do remember is her positive attitude and outlook on life. I recall how this enabled her to cope at times of immense struggle, when she became very physic