American Advocate Homecoming king, Harvard student at 17, yet this African-American trailblazer did not know what hit him, when a few weeks into college he experienced his first panic attack and, subsequently, a full blown manic episode and hospitalization. An amazingly frank speaker, Rahim is now one of America’s leading mental health advocates. He has […]
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From Harvard to Hospital, Hakeem Rahim
Turning Shit into Fertilizer, Azita Nahai
Kundalini Therapist When you feel there is something missing in your life, it’s probably you, says LA-based trauma specialist and Kundalini yoga teacher Azita Nahai. Straight-talking Nahai, Ph.D., specializes in a practical and holistic approach to help ‘turn shit into fertilizer’. Nahai, a child of Jewish Persian immigrants, suffered trauma first-hand from an abusive relationship […]
When Not Killing Yourself Becomes the Goal, Maggie Robbins
Bipolar Art Therapist When she was a college student, Bipolar Disorder brought her to her knees. Now well-known New York art therapist and psychotherapist Maggie Robbins helps others connect with their ‘inner monster’. ‘You can almost think of anything someone makes as a self-portrait.’ Robbins, an artist herself, wrote a semi-autobiographical novel of poems while […]
Surviving Suicide, the Tartan Way, Josh Quigley
Two years ago, Josh Quigley woke in the middle of the night, got into his car and drove into a concrete barrier at 80 miles-an-hour. A crippling battle with depression had held this outwardly happy Scottish entrepreneur in a deadly grip. Miraculously, Quigley escaped unscathed. He decided to travel the world as ‘The Tartan Explorer’, […]
Hammering it Out – The Bipolar Blacksmith, Bex Simon
Bipolar Blacksmith Becoming a blacksmith saved Bex Simon from succumbing to bipolar disorder. In fact, the illness laid the foundations for her blacksmith business. Praised for her unusual and spectacularly artistic designs, Simon has been off medication since 2009, and lives with her husband and two children. She uses her illness ‘by building like a […]
Massage, the Mind… and Kylie, Ben Barnett
Healing Massage Dubbed ‘The Magic Touch’, Ben Barnett has developed a breakthrough, crossover therapy. Just treating the body isn’t good enough, says the Kent, UK, based therapist. So while Ben massages, he gives therapy at the same time. With a background in sport and engineering, Ben honed his skills over the past 22 years. In […]
Your Inner Pooh Bear – A Journey to Self-Esteem, Cat Williams
Child Therapist With a husband on the front line, two young children at home, and far from family and friends, Cat Williams was often left wondering if she could cope. Cat’s journey as an army wife and relationship counsellor led to a unique blend, which she now shares through her website Stay Calm and Content, […]
The Power of Words, Charlotte Reed
Author ‘May The Thoughts Be With You’ When Charlotte Reed was struck by a constant feeling of ‘utter terror’, she bravely decided to try and heal herself. One way she fought her depression was to write down one inspiring thought a day. ‘May The Thoughts Be With You’, is a self-illustrated, handwritten book and, like […]
From Homelessness to Breakthrough Musician, Joel Lees
Homeless Busker When 18 year old Joel got kicked out of his home for stealing from his mum, he had nothing, apart from ‘several mental issues I told no one about.’ For many years he lived on the streets of London busking, abusing alcohol and drugs. Through a rehabilitation program, he got back on track, […]
The Healing Madness of Sea Swimming, Dr. Mark Harper
Cold Water Swimmer When his local pool was closed, a friend suggested to Dr. Mark Harper that he try swimming in the chilly sea off Brighton (UK). 13 years on, and Harper dives in, year round, even on Christmas Day (without a wetsuit!). His pioneering research suggests ‘cold water adaptation’ helps you stay healthy and […]
Climb Every Mountain – Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Peter Goodall
PTSD Sufferer When Peter Goodall took his new wife to meet his parents, back in Johannesburg (South Africa), robbers shot at Peter and tied up the family. It was only much later that Peter started suffering debilitating panic attacks and was diagnosed with PTSD. ‘I didn’t think I had it.’ Peter, an actor by trade, […]
Seeking Attention – The Self-Harm Expert, Satveer Nijjar
Self-Harm Trainer Satveer Nijjar had got so frustrated with society’s misunderstanding of self-harm that she decided to call her self-harm awareness company ‘Attention Seekers’. She was being ironic where others were being dismissive. At least one out of ten young people cuts, burns, or pinches themselves, or goes even further as a response to mental […]