Actress and mental health blogger Lucy Jackson had no idea she had depression, anxiety, OCD and borderline personality disorder. She didn’t even think she had an eating disorder. But a stay in a treatment facility exposed her to new bad habits. Eating disorders are addictions, she says, and should be treated as such. She admits […]
Videos
Related content
The Road to Recovery, Lucy Jackson
Not all champagne and skittles, Simon Webbe
Singer and songwriter Simon Webbe — former member of Blue and Strictly contestant — broke down on TV and realised that he had to open up about his depression. He had lost close friends to suicide and now tells others the importance of talking to someone about your feelings. Simon finds talking, exercise, and creating […]
Making real connections, Jamie Jewitt
Model and former Love Island contestant Jamie Jewitt realised that he was trying to live up to an image of success that was created by the industry he worked in. He worries that social media makes that image pervasive: there’s pressure to make your whole life look perfect. Now he tries to project a more […]
Sleep, Bliss and Meditation, Will Williams
Will Williams is a teacher of meditation, but he doesn’t look like the stereotype of a guru. Will came to meditation after suffering from insomnia for years. Vedic meditation is an ancient tradition but Will says it has many lessons for how we live now, in a world where so many of us are constantly […]
Being brave is beautiful, Petra Velzeboer
Petra Velzeboer was brought up in a cult, the Children of God. Lacking education but feeling that she was meant to save the world, she used alcohol and drugs to try to cope. Lonely after the birth of her children, she reached rock bottom but realised she had a choice. Petra chose to pursue happiness. […]
Taking the Weight Off Your Back, Danny
Danny started counselling when he began to experience bullying during the transition to secondary school. He was experiencing anxiety attacks and his school work was suffering. His parents suggested that he talk to a therapist. Danny has found his counselling helpful because he says it offers him small things that he remembers to do every […]
A New Reality, Jack Fowler
Love Island Star Jack Fowler found it difficult to adjust to his newfound fame after he emerged from the Love Island villa. The sudden attention the reality TV show brought made him feel as though he was ‘in a zoo’. He has learned that showing emotion, like the heartbreak he felt after breaking up with […]
Giving Thanks for Life, Allie Hill
Allie Hill is the founder of the Yogahaven studios. For the last two decades, yoga has been a constant in her life. Her yoga practice and the yoga community she has built up have been a great source of support to her, through good times and bad. When Allie was diagnosed with breast cancer, she […]
Baring Body and Soul, Ben, The Naked Professor
The Naked Professor Ben uses striking naked images of himself, often in dramatic locations, as a way to draw attention to his writing on mental health. He says that in the early part of his life he was living on autopilot and felt unable to show his sensitive side. This led to anxiety, depression, feelings […]
Sowing the Seeds of Good Health, Kirsten Hartvig Rowley
Herbalist I don’t treat diseases, I treat people with problems, Kirsten says. Kirsten Hartvig Rowley is a naturopath, medical herbalist and author. When she sees patients, she looks at the whole person and finds a treatment based on natural herbal remedies and lifestyle changes. She believes that reconnecting with nature can help to heal us […]
We’re On the Same Team, Josh Smiiffy
Musician Rapper Josh Smiiffy found himself isolated as a child and severely depressed and suicidal as a teenager. He found help in writing and performing his own music. Although he still suffers, he says, from ‘more downs than ups’ he is keen to see more help for children. Josh would like more arts and sports […]
Pleasure is a Birthright, Catherine Hale
Sexual Shamanic Practitioner & Empowerment Coach Catherine Hale is a sexual shamanic practitioner and empowerment coach who works to help others improve their sexual relationships. She says that in tantra, sexual energy is seen as a life force energy. Catherine works to overcome the blocks of fear, guilt and shame that can prevent us from […]