Almost four years ago, Millie Gooch gave up alcohol to save her rapidly declining mental health. When she first stopped drinking, she couldn’t find support and a community that reflected her experience of sobriety – most were related to recovery programmes. So she founded Sober Girl Society, a growing community who are either committed to […]
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The joy of sobriety, Millie Gooch
Vulnerability pays off, Paul McGregor
When Paul McGregor was 18, his father took his own life. He had been treated for depression and sectioned for a while after a previous attempt, but Paul and his family were still totally unprepared. From his father’s first trip to the doctor to his death was only six months. “My dad was very good […]
Every suicide is unnecessary, Owen Paterson MP
In 2020, Rose Paterson took her own life. She had never spoken of depression, never been on medication, and had never mentioned her pain to her family. She went missing one day, and when they found her body, the Patersons’ world collapsed. “It is incomprehensible that she could have torn herself away from this,” says […]
The most empowering work you can do, Christo Hudson
Christo Hudson had always wanted to be a pilot, and spent 12 years doing the job he loved, until it all stopped overnight with the pandemic. He suffered anxiety and bouts of depression, unable to see a way forward. “My dream was stolen from me. I had been completely defined by the job I had. […]
Don’t suffer in silence, Jack Fowler & Marcus Tisson
Love Island star and mental health campaigner Jack Fowler and Don’t Suffer In Silence co-founder Marcus Tisson discuss the pressure to “man up” and how they want to open up discussion over mental health issues and suicide after Marcus lost his mother.
Loving the skin you’re in, Eryca Freemantle
As a child, Eryca Freemantle was bullied at school for being different, and remembers the constant feeling of heaviness and sadness. Home was her safe space. But when a life-changing accident left her with serious facial scarring from burns, those memories of childhood bullying came back. After suffering a breakdown, having suicidal thoughts and finally […]
Tomorrow might be great, Josh Zitser
Josh Zitser was always a deeply sensitive child, but when a teenage friend took her own life, he suffered depression, panic attacks and an eating disorder. But it took a while for him to realise his feelings weren’t the same as everyone else. Josh has had suicidal thoughts, but recent therapy has changed his life. […]
Reclaiming myself after addiction, Talitha Fosh
Psychotherapist Talitha Fosh is an addict. “The way that my mind works is what makes me an addict,” she says. It started with an eating disorder when she was 14, comparing herself to others, and it spiralled out of control quickly. Then Tally found alcohol and drugs. “I didn’t like who I was when I […]
Family is the one constant, Jamie Jewitt
We spoke to Love Island star Jamie Jewitt a couple of years ago. Then, he spoke about his disillusion with how his modelling career had panned out and how unhappy he had been over social media and the pressure to present a perfect image. Now, he and partner Camilla are expecting a baby and he […]
Breath: your own ‘life hack’, Max Gomez
Max Gomez was studying neuroscience at university and realised that he was suffering from some learning challenges (ADHD and dyslexia). He became fascinated in how he could build products to help people to improve their wellbeing. Two years after college, he suffered some huge changes in his life and he suffered a bout of deep, […]
Music lifts me up, Emma Conybeare
DJ and presenter Emma Conybeare didn’t expect her mental health to deteriorate over the years, but two years ago she had a breakdown. She turned to the NHS for therapy, finding support through CBT. This year has been the best she has felt for years, staying positive and motivated. Music has the power to change […]
Taking time to deal with trauma, Shanie Ryan
Presenter and podcast host Shanie Ryan is a survivor of the 7/7 London bombings. Her experiences led to PTSD, anxiety and depression, but it took her a while to realise the changes in her behaviour were a result of that day. “I couldn’t relax, my behaviour was frantic, I always needed to be in control. […]