However, what Peter learned in prison makes for enlightening realisations around the issue of resilience and mental health.

In particular, Peter suggested that while his prison experience was steeped in bricks and mortar, similar mental health strategies can apply to anyone in a metaphorical prison of their own, which limits their life in some way.

“Since I got out of prison I’ve been speaking to a lot of people who initially struggle to understand what I have to offer them,” Peter said to the room filled with insurance delegates.

“I’m not an expert on mental health, but I have been ‘lucky enough’ to go through an experience that has given me some valuable insights. And while I use the term ‘prison’, it can metaphorically apply in real terms to other life circumstances.”

Reflecting on what Peter learned, he continued. “A fellow inmate said that when you are thinking over your own regrets and recriminations in prison, you will not mentally survive unless you are prepared to make peace with yourself. In that moment, you’ve got to let that go – otherwise it can psychologically break you.”

The only measure of passing time that Peter had inside his cell was the moving shaft of light through the window, and the call to prayer. This was the catalyst for him to adopt some mental health strategies to quite literally, get him through each day. “I realised that – through the lack of time as the constant measure in my day – there was an absolute necessity to impose structure.

“The first thing I did was maintain physical fitness and the second thing was to become more mentally active,” said Peter, who became very good at memory games and the powers of visualisation. “In my mind I would take myself to my favourite beach in the most exquisite detail.”

Next, came the power of creativity, with Peter even making murals out of food wrappers just to remain creative and mentally active. By instinct, Peter came to realise that the power of physical health, mental alertness and creativity were the three essential foundations for his own mental health while in prison.

“But what was more important to me than anything else in prison was meditation,” continued Peter. “There was a time in prison when anger was starting to eat away at me. Through meditation I realised that I had created this fantasy around my former life, which I deeply missed. Yet the fantasy was only inside my head and I had forgotten the reality of traffic jams, arguments and tax-paying outside of prison.”

In summarising this final learning, Peter urged others to take responsibility for their own experiences.

“We get angry with people who have prevented us from doing what we want. But it’s important to acknowledge that what we feel we ‘should’ have been doing – is actually a fantasy. And the only thing being harmed by those thoughts – was me.”