“It cannot be underestimated how the stress and pressure has been insurmountable and this has impacted upon me greatly. I am pleased to see action has now been taken to assist States Members with the provision of counselling. This was a much-needed resource that I needed over this extended period of time which was not available until now.”

Those were the words that Deputy Max Andrews read out in the States Assembly last week.

He took the decision to explain to the Privileges and Procedures Committee how he needed help because he was struggling with his mental wellbeing. In response to this, the States’ Greffier and the PPC provided those counselling sessions, the first time this has been done for a States Member.

Deputy Andrews sat down with Kelly Frost to discuss the pressures we place on our politicians, the impact of print and social media, and how important it is to seek help when needed and look after your mental wellbeing in whatever role you have...