LISTEN: "Had the counselling not been put into place, then we would still be failing our own politicians"

Friday 22 September 2023

A States Member who recently came under scrutiny has spoken out about the impact of serving in politics on his mental health – as structured counselling sessions are now being offered to Jersey's politicians for the first time.

Deputy Max Andrews, an independent States Member representing St Helier North, was recently censured for breaching the code of conduct that sets out how Jersey’s politicians should act.

In the apology he read to the Assembly, he said: "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."

"It was very difficult that I had to live through this experience"

On the latest episode of Bailiwick Podcasts, he elaborated on the introduction of these services and why he told the Privileges and Procedures Committee that he needed help.

"Had the counselling not been put into place, then we would still be failing our own politicians, including myself," said Deputy Andrews.

"In some respects, it was very difficult that I had to live through this experience, but at least someone else who may be encountering difficulties in the future will have a provision of mental health support, because it's a pressurised job."

Deputy Andrews explained that he felt quite isolated from the moment he took up the role, due to being one of the younger States Members, an independent, and not knowing many other Members before becoming one of them.

Pictured: Deputy Andrews was first elected to the States in June 2022.

"There was hardly any support in place," he said. "We are left to our own devices, and I find for the new Members, it's quite easy to make mistakes, because you don't have people there to ask questions of, unless you are closely affiliated to politicians previously serving."

"Something needs to be done"

He continued: "It is very much a seven-days-a-week job, but that's also why I love it so much. It does come with its pressures, especially when you look at social media, such as Twitter.

"There were conversations with other States Members, and there have been a few of us who were predicating the same message: something needs to be done. We are by ourselves, we have nobody to speak to."

"I think maybe they knew partly there was nothing in place so they maybe failed partly, and they had to make amends for that by having something in place for me now, so in a way I see it as a Deputy Andrews experiment that didn't go very well, but at least in the future, hopefully politicians will have something in place, a provision, a service to help them, so they don't have to relive what I had to."

Now, he urged others to go – like he did – to Mind Jersey and the Listening Lounge, as well as seeking counselling sessions, "just to talk".

"Being a politician is a job like no other"

Karen Shenton-Stone, the Constable of St Martin and Chair of the Privileges and Procedures Committee, said that while there had "always been some sort of pastoral care in place", now this care is more structured.

"There is now a professional service with counselling/psychotherapy sessions available. You can ask for that support, and it can be used by all Members. There is a small take-up, but it might be good in future for certain Members to know that it is there."

Pictured: Karen Shenton-Stone is the Chair of the Privileges and Procedures Committee.

She continued: "Being a politician is a job like no other. You are under a huge amount of scrutiny every day – and you get all sorts of really unpleasant comments coming at you.

"Just because you're a member of the States doesn't mean that you're fair game. All of us can feel under pressure and highly stressed. There has always been someone that you could go and talk to, but now the pressures have got far worse with social media."

"A business will look after the welfare of its staff," she added. "I am pleased that we can now offer this support. We also have professional coaching services to assist politicians in the role of a States Member, and these are now highly recommended.

"People have mental health issues for all types of reasons, and there shouldn't be a stigma to needing it. We've stepped up to help someone who needed it, and it's a comfort to people to know it's there. We're always evolving and always listening."

LISTEN...

Deputy Andrews sat down with Express 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.

You can listen to the podcast below, or on your favourite podcast provider by searching 'Bailiwick Podcasts'...