“I’m so sorry.” Alan wept as he looked out of the window of the lounge one night at the heavy rain pouring outside, the wind howling loudly. Alan had never felt so lonely in all his life. Everyone else had gone to bed, but after everything else he’d been through in the past, such as trying not to move or else a bomb would go off or having a dream about going with Lady Penelope and Parker into Outer Space, he was still upset. Over what? It was unclear what he was upset about.
He sat in silence, listening to the rain patter like little drums on the windows. It was then that I entered, worried about Alan, and sat down beside him. “Alan…” I said in a hushed whisper, putting my hand on his knee. “Ssssshhhhh…” he said in hushed tones, “I heard that, and I’m sorry too.” “What made you so upset?” I whispered. “Nothing in the world had ever made me happy. Not even my love of racing, or going into Space with Thunderbird 3. It never gets used a lot, y’know, it just sits there gathering dust, waiting until the Mysterons hatch another plot to destroy Cloudbase, or some astronauts get stranded with zero gravity. And all I get to do is sit there and smoke cigars with Brains, and you know how bad it is for my mental health….and that’s what I’m facing right now.”
“Mental health?” I asked. “Oh dear, why didn’t you tell Jeff?” “I’ve had mental health problems since I was a teenager. I tried to tell father to contact a doctor to tell me about my problems, but….ever since my mother died, I feel alone in myself. I feel like problems are all locked up in the treasure chest that is my mind, and those moments of lashing out and constant screaming have been the treasure no one refuses to pick up.”
“That’s because Jeff Tracy wanted to escape to that island, and that’s how you befriended Tin Tin.” I reminded. “This treasure which is your mental health can only be shared privately with your father. There are lots of helplines out there you can contact. What are you struggling with at the moment?” “Perfectionism, loneliness and isolation. Also, independence.” sighed Alan.
“Is this why you don’t want to leave the island?” I asked. “Tracy Island is such a pretty place to live on. It’s no place for someone with mental hea-” But I interrupted, “Alan, hang on. Tracy Island is the most peaceful base for the Thunderbirds to be stationed. There are lots of things those helplines can do to save your mental health and let you become the charming son your father expected you to be. Tell you what, why don’t we tell your father tomorrow, and then afterwards, he’ll recommend a hotline number for you to call in case you’re worried about this?”
“Then…does everyone still love me?” asked Alan. I threw my arms around him and gave him the biggest hug he could possibly imagine. “Of course they do,” I said, “No matter what happens to your mental health, everyone’s there to support you 24/7…including me.”
And so the next morning, Alan and I told Jeff about his mental health problems, and the head of the organisation recommended that he contact Shout 85258 so they can be there to listen to his problems and provide solutions for when his mental health is starting to take a toll on him. All Alan had to thank was me for the advice, or else he would have the most miserable life any astronaut would have in the world….ever.
If you are feeling overwhelmed and are struggling to cope with the same feelings or concerns as Alan in this story, text SHOUT to 85258 and they’ll be there to talk with you about any problems such as perfectionism and loneliness. I believe in you, and so does Shout. You can do it!
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