The Ex-Bank Robber Principle - Mental Health awareness week
- Ms Andrea King
- May 11
- 4 min read
Updated: May 18
Who's the best person to advise a bank on its security?
An ex-bank robber. Obviously. Because they've been inside the vault. They know where the cameras don't reach. They know about the under-counter alarms — the ones the staff forget are even there. They know exactly what someone casing the joint is looking for, because they've stood on the pavement doing exactly that. They know how the whole thing falls apart, not from a textbook, from experience.
That's not a liability. That's the most valuable person in the room.
I'm a trained mental health first aider. I've also struggled with my own mental health — and still do. I'm not a detached professional with a lanyard and a leaflet. I know this from the inside. I know how damaging it can be.
Before transition
Before I transitioned, I was in a bad place. Not poetically bad. Actually flaming bad. The kind where you stop being able to imagine a future because you can't see the point in one. There was a period where I could have made a very permanent decision. I didn't. But it wasn't far off.
What pulled me back wasn't therapy or a hotline. It was finally having the balls to make a decision that I’d wished for all of my life, to be my true self. Yeah transition wasn't a fix-all. But it fixed the main thing, which gave everything else a chance.
What dysphoria means
Something worth knowing.
Gender dysphoria is not a mental illness. Not a disorder. Not a defect. And that's a fact, not just me saying it.
The World Health Organization (WHO) formally declassified gender identity-related conditions as a mental health disorder in May 2019, with the adoption of the ICD-11, which took effect in 2022.
But some people develop mental health problems because of it. Because waiting lists are a joke. Because the laws aren't much better — and I mean nobody benefits, nobody, look it up. Because you had an idea of what life might look like eventually and it didn't quite work out that way. Because nobody thought to mention that might happen. Because social stigma is apparently still a thing in 2026. Because you might get outed. Because you worry what this is doing to the people who love you. Because you could lose your job. Because someone might decide your existence is worth a smack.
And the looks. Jeez, the looks. You've told yourself a hundred times it doesn't bother you. And then one day it does and you're standing in the supermarket feeling like shit and you can't even fully explain why.
I still struggle. Some days I look in the mirror and what's looking back doesn't match what I feel. Call it vanity. Call it gender dysphoria. I don't care what you call it — some days it's manageable. Some days it's just really fucking not and that’s the truth of it.
Asking for help
We treat asking for help like a confession. Like admitting you're not coping is somehow worse than actually not coping. It isn't. It's just honest.
The stigma lies. It tells you everyone else is fine and you're the only one barely holding it together. That's a load of bull crap. Most people are holding it together with spit and stubbornness and not much else. You're not uniquely broken. You're just not talking about it.
I spent years not talking about it. I know exactly what that costs.
If you're struggling do yourself a massive favour and tell someone. Not because it solves everything. It doesn't. But because you cannot think your way out of something that is eating you from the inside. You need another person. That's not weakness. That's just how it works.
The bank robber knows where the gaps are. So do I. And the biggest one is the bit where you convince yourself you're fine when you're not.
You're allowed to not be fine.
Go talk to someone. #takeaction
Mental Health Awareness week runs from 11 - 17 May. But we should all be looking after our mental health, every day, not just one week a year.
If you're struggling right now, please reach out to your GP, a trusted person in your life, or contact Samaritans on 116 123 — free, any time, no judgement
I am a D&I consultant, keynote speaker, Mental Health First Aider, writer and transgender woman with 20+ years of senior corporate leadership experience. I work with businesses across all sectors to build genuinely inclusive cultures whilst also supporting transgender individuals and their families through every stage of the journey. If this piece resonated, you can find more articles on andreaking.net or book a free discovery call if you'd like to talk.
The views expressed in this article are my own and are based on personal experience and perspective. They are not intended as medical, legal or professional advice.
Further reading - Mental Health awareness week
Mental Health Foundation — Mental Health Awareness Week 2026. Confirms this year’s theme is Take Action and focuses on practical steps for mental wellbeing.
Mates in Mind — Mental Health Awareness Week 11–17 May 2026. A workplace-focused resource that links stress, depression and anxiety to real working conditions.
British Psychological Society — Tackling health inequalities in the trans community. A helpful overview of the mental health inequalities trans people face.
TransActual — Trans People’s Mental Health. Covers the mental health impact of stigma, discrimination and poor access to care.
MHFA England — Mental Health Awareness Week 2026: Action. Good context for linking awareness to action in workplaces and communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ex-Bank Robber Principle?
It means people with lived experience can sometimes give the most useful advice because they know the problem from the inside.
Is gender dysphoria a mental illness?
No. Gender dysphoria is not a mental illness, disorder or defect.
Why do trans people develop mental health problems?
Stigma, waiting lists, fear of being outed, workplace risk and social pressure can all contribute to mental health struggles.
What should I do if I am struggling?
Tell someone you trust, because talking to another person can be an important first step.
Does asking for help mean I am weak?
No. Asking for help is honest, and it is often the most practical thing you can do.
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