A woman who was ‘prescribed’ cold water swimming to treat her depression says the activity ‘saved her life’ Helen Downham, 37, endured a series of traumatic events between 2019 and 2022 – including a relationship breakdown, losing her job and breaking her leg.
The single mother of one already suffered from mental health issues but said the events, exacerbated by the pandemic, had made her consider taking her own life. Helen, from Warmley, Bristol, was prescribed medication for depression and anxiety but she said it did not help.
Then in January her doctor suggested she sign up for an NHS initiative called ‘social prescribing’ – which connects people with activities, groups and services in their community. She was referred to a six-week course with a local women’s cold water swimming group – and decided to give it a go.
After just one session, Helen was amazed at the physical and mental impact it had on her – and she was instantly hooked. She now goes at least twice a week, has made lots of new friends – and for the first time in years, “she doesn’t dread getting up in the morning”.
Helen Downham, 37, from Bristol, was prescribed cold water swimming to treat her depression(Image: SWNS)
Helen, who is currently unemployed, said: “When my mental health was at its worst I hated everything and didn’t want to be here anymore. Doctors increased my medication and told me to exercise, but the pills numbed everything and I couldn’t leave the house.
“But when cold water swimming was mentioned, a spark went off in my head. The cold took my breath away at first – but I loved it and have never regretted it since.
“It’s absolutely bliss – after I’ve swum my head feels so much clearer, calmer and I feel so happy. I used to isolate myself and never want to leave the house – now I get so excited about going swimming with my friends that I can’t sleep the night before.
“It completely changed my life. It saved my life.”
Helen, who has a 14-year-old daughter, said she went through a difficult breakup in December 2019. She had already been suffering from anxiety and depression, but claims this became worse after leaving her partner and finding herself in a vacuum.
In October 2020, she was made redundant from her beloved job as a senior support worker. She said: “Losing my job was the worst thing that ever happened to me. My work was my life.”
After signing up for Universal Credit, she faced a number of issues with her social housing in 2021. She thought it couldn’t get any worse until she broke her right leg while walking her dog in March 2022.
Helen said: “That was the straw that broke the camel’s back. I couldn’t leave the house for weeks and developed severe agoraphobia.
“It got to the point where my mental health was so bad, I just didn’t want to be here anymore. I thought if anything else was going to happen, this was it – I was going to end my life.”
Her medications were increased and she said her doctor had advised her to “do more exercise” – but she said it had no effect. Eventually her doctor signed her up for the ‘social prescribing’ initiative – suggesting she might benefit from an activity in her community.
Helen Downham, 37, from Bristol, was prescribed cold water swimming to treat her depression(Image: SWNS)
Helen wasn’t convinced, but she pricked up her ears at the suggestion of cold water swimming, as a friend had previously recommended. In January this year she went to her first session with the women’s group, based in Bradley Stoke, Bristol, and she loved it.
Helen said: “When I first got there I didn’t know what to expect. It was a shock, it took my breath away because it was so cold. Every part of my body was cold but it adjusted very quickly. When I got home I felt tired but I noticed I felt much clearer, head space wise and I was so calm.”
Since then, she has continued with her original group and has also joined another group – and goes cold water swimming at least twice a week. She has been able to make lots of new friends and improved her health and mental wellbeing – and she said it has changed her life.
She said: “I think it’s a combination of the cold water and the social aspect of seeing your friends in the group. It relaxes you and reduces your stress levels. It just works wonders – it’s changed my life.”
Helen is now an advocate for the NHS social prescribing programme and wants to raise awareness of the good it can do. She said: “Most people I speak to have never heard of social prescribing but it’s such a great concept.
“I still have mental health issues that I struggle with, but I don’t dread getting up in the morning and I look forward to the next time I can swim. I can’t recommend it enough – it has completely changed my life – and it has saved me.”
