Mental Health on World Mental Health Day - The Callver Cleaning Co

That was my coping mechanism back then — keep busy, keep quiet, keep smiling.

Fast forward two decades, and here I am: the founder of The Callver Cleaning Co., which has grown into The Callver Group Ltd, with over 40 incredible members of TEAM Callver — a team I couldn’t be prouder of.

I’ve lived with depression and anxiety for over 40 years, but the difference now is that I’m not hiding from it anymore. I own it, I talk about it, and I want others to know — you can too.

???? Let’s Talk About the Stuff No One Used to Talk About

There was a time when mental health just wasn’t something you mentioned — not at work, not at home, and definitely not in public. You smiled, got on with it, and hoped the storm would pass.

But pretending to be fine doesn’t make things better. In fact, it makes them heavier.

For years, depression was brushed off as “just being tired.” Anxiety was something you were told to “snap out of.” But mental health doesn’t work like that. You can have a thriving business, a wonderful family, a great team — and still struggle terribly inside.

That doesn’t make you weak. It makes you human.

‘What do you have to be depressed about?’ is the most common. Well nothing, essentially. But the fuzzy mind says ‘something’, even though it may not tell you what that something is.

???? Cleaning the Outside, Healing the Inside

When I started a cleaning company all those years ago, I thought I was just building a business. What I didn’t realise was how much it would teach me about life itself.

Because cleaning isn’t just about making things look good — it’s about transforming spaces. It’s about bringing order to chaos, clarity to clutter, and calm to the mess.

And, really, isn’t that what we’re all trying to do in our own minds?

Over the years, I’ve learned that you can’t just polish the surface and expect things to shine — not in cleaning, not in business, and definitely not in your mental health. You’ve got to get to the real stuff underneath — the bits you’ve been avoiding. That’s where the real work happens.

I’ve had dark days, like many of us. Days where I couldn’t see beyond the fog. But one thing I’ve learned — and I tell my team this often — is that you can’t clean life’s messes with shame and silence. You clean them with honesty, courage, and hope.

???? TEAM Callver — Together in Every Way

At TEAM Callver, we’ve built more than a business. We’ve built a family.

When The Callver Cleaning Co. began, it was just me, a few mops, and a lot of determination. Over time, we grew — and in 2020, during (and in spite of) COVID, we launched The Callver Washroom Co. It was a leap of faith in the middle of chaos.

But it worked. Because that’s what resilience looks like — it’s messy, brave, and a little bit mad.

And out of that came The Callver Group Ltd, a family of people who don’t just work hard — they care. About their work, about our clients, and about each other.

A lot can happen during a shift — a chat over coffee, a laugh when something goes wrong, or just that small “you okay?” that makes all the difference.

That’s the power of TEAM Callver. It’s proof that we’re stronger when we stand together — at work and in life.

???? Why This Day Matters

World Mental Health Day (October 10th) is a reminder that it’s okay to be open. It’s okay to struggle. And it’s okay to talk about it.

There was a time I wouldn’t have dreamed of writing something like this. But I’ve learned that sharing our stories helps others find the courage to share theirs.

It’s not about sympathy. It’s about connection. It’s about reminding each other that nobody has to face the hard stuff alone.

????️ The Good News — It Can Be Beaten

Recovery doesn’t look perfect — it’s not a straight line or a clean floor that stays spotless forever. Some days, it’s messy. Some days, it’s slow.

But with time, honesty, and the right people around you, it does get better.

And when you finally step back and see how far you’ve come — just like admiring a space you’ve worked hard to clean — it’s worth every bit of effort.

???? My Message This World Mental Health Day

To me, this day isn’t about buzzwords or corporate statements. It’s about real people, real stories, and real resilience.

It’s about saying, “I’ve struggled — and I’m still here.”
It’s about showing others that strength doesn’t always look loud or confident — sometimes, it’s simply not giving up.

To my incredible TEAM Callver: thank you. For your hard work, your kindness, and your courage — not just in what you do every day, but in who you are.

To anyone reading this who’s fighting a quiet battle — please know, you’re not alone. You matter. And no matter how messy life feels right now, it can shine again. If you need someone, I’m here. As are so many others.

This World Mental Health Day, let’s keep cleaning up the stigma — together. ????????

From me, and all of us at The Callver Group Ltd (aka TEAM Callver)
Proud to clean. Proud to care. Proud to talk.