The Power of Being Seen: A Mental Health Conversation
May marks Mental Health Awareness Month—a time to raise awareness, break stigma and share stories that remind us we’re not alone. This year, I want to honour that spirit by sharing a little more of my own story.
Mental health has been a constant thread in my life. I’ve navigated grief, divorce and the life-altering experience of a cancer diagnosis. I’ve lived through early menopause—triggered by the treatment that saved my life—and with it, a profound shift in how I relate to both my body and my mind.
Like many women, I tried for a long time to just “keep going.” Even when things felt unsteady beneath the surface, I kept showing up, pushing through, doing more. What I didn’t realise at the time was that undiagnosed ADHD was quietly influencing so much of what I was feeling: the overthinking, the people-pleasing, the emotional highs and lows, the relentless pressure to prove myself.
It’s only with hindsight—and diagnosis—that I’ve come to understand that these weren’t personal failings. They were traits of a neurodivergent brain. And in the very same space where I once carried shame, I’ve also found some of my greatest strengths: creativity, empathy and resilience.
This is the foundation of the work I do today.
I created Barbour Coaching to offer support that feels real and compassionate, especially for folks in their 40s, 50s and beyond. Whether you’re navigating menopause/mid-life, feeling overwhelmed by life’s pace, or carrying unseen grief or trauma—I want you to know: You’re not alone.
You don’t have to keep “just getting on with it.”
You deserve space to breathe, reflect, and reconnect with yourself.
What I'm Looking Forward to This Month
One of the things I’m especially excited about this month is speaking at Lindsay Rocke’s ADHD Big Sister Masterclass. It’s a powerful space for women to connect through shared experience and I’ll be speaking about the link between ADHD and major hormonal shifts—particularly how ADHD presents in adulthood and how often it’s missed.
We’ll also explore how, with insight and the right tools, ADHD can become less of a struggle—and more of a strength.
That’s the kind of space I believe in: honest, hopeful, and human.
How I Can Support You
If your mental health has quietly taken a back seat while life pulls you in every direction, I see you.
If you’re wondering whether there’s something more going on—be it ADHD, menopause, grief or something you can’t yet name—please know that you don’t have to have it all figured out to start the conversation.
Often, that’s the best time to reach out.
Here are a few ways I’m offering support this month:
Free discovery call – A gentle, no-pressure space to explore what’s going on and what kind of support might help.
Menopause Made Simple Membership – Expert guidance, monthly support, and a growing library of tools to help you feel more in control.
Speaking & workplace training – Bringing insight, real talk, and practical tools to businesses, communities, and teams.
Mental health is deeply personal, incredibly powerful, and always worth prioritising.
With warmth, honesty, and understanding,
Suzanne x
