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. […]
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Being brave is beautiful, Petra Velzeboer
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 […]
Peers Without Pressure, Anna and Millie
Wimbledon High Students Anna and Millie are students at Wimbledon High who take part in the school’s peer counselling project. They help advise younger girls on how to cope with the pressures around them. That pressure can come from outside: Anna and Millie say that looking good and body image are big concerns among some […]
Belonging To Something Bigger Than Yourself, Jane Lunnon
Headmistress The Head of Wimbledon High School, Jane Lunnon, says that the world has changed for her pupils. The old certainties of society aren’t there any more — what fills the gaps is often social media. Jane says young people need breaks from comparing themselves to their peers. Nothing, she says, beats a really good […]
Child & Parent Therapist, Dr Genevieve Von Lob
Parenting Therapist Clinical psychologist Dr Genevieve von Lob says that we can learn to become more conscious, mindful parents. Although this generation of parents is the most self-aware, we have all learnt templates of parenting from the generations before us. Children are aware of the emotional issues we pass on and reflect them back to […]
Former Government Mental Health Ambassador, Natasha Devon MBE
Former Government Advisor on Mental Health Natasha Devon is a former advisor to the government on child mental health. She has personal experience of anxiety and eating disorders herself. Natasha would like to see a society where children are taught how to develop healthy habits that will stand them in good stead in the future. […]
You Can’t See Mental Pain, Mim Shaikh
Radio Host Broadcaster Mim Shaikh grew up with his mother suffering from severe mental health issues. It wasn’t until he went to school that he realised his family was different from others. However, today he feels this experience has helped him to become more sensitive and empathetic towards others going through mental pain. It’s also […]
Former Olympic Heavyweight Gold Medallist, Audley Harrison
Boxing Champion Audley Harrison grew up in a broken home in a tough part of London. By the age of 17 he had been expelled from schools and ended up in juvenile detention. Relying on willpower, he turned his life around, becoming a university graduate and a boxing sensation. Harrison, who is retired and lives […]
Let’s Play, Marguerite Hunter Blair
Distraction and playfulness are sorely missing in many children’s lives, says mother-of-five Marguerite Hunter Blair. And our children are bearing the brunt, as it is through play, especially outdoors, that children learn life skills and improve their physical and mental health. Hunter Blair is chief executive of Play Scotland and a passionate advocate for children’s […]
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, […]
Mental Health Campaigner & Creator of ‘Stranger on the Bridge’, Jonny Benjamin MBE and Neil Laybourn
The Stranger on the Bridge Just before his 21st birthday, Jonny Benjamin MBE decided to run away from the mental hospital he was staying in. While he was sitting on the edge of London’s Waterloo Bridge, contemplating taking his own life, a man came up and talked him out of it. Six years later, a […]
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, […]