As a teenager she was labeled ‘unsafe to self’ and locked in a psychiatric ward. For a long time Lily Asch continued to be ashamed of her experience, until she opened up and discovered the power of conversation. Now Asch runs Real Talk, a social enterprise organizing storytelling workshops in a safe space, enabling people […]
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The Power of Telling your Story, Lily Asch
We Need People Who Think Differently, Vikie Shanks
Author, Speaker & Mentor Vikie Shanks was widowed when her husband took his own life. She was left to bring up seven children, six of whom are on the autistic spectrum. Two of her children have cerebral palsy. Vikie, on her own, had no choice but to cope and to enable her children and herself […]
Finding the Answers Inside Yourself, Dave Lee
Ex Builder Turned Mental Health Campaigner Ten years ago, Dave Lee was working as a builder. He was depressed, drinking heavily and attempted to end his life. Recovering, he looked for answers. Eventually he realised that he could only find those insights and answers inside himself. He describes the difference between the ‘personal mind’ and […]
Exam After Exam After Exam, Jenny Pewsey
Borderline Personality Disorder Looking back, Jenny says she probably had mental health issues from an early age. But her food obsessions, panic and anxiety didn’t explode until her first year of medical school when it got so bad that she couldn’t leave her flat. ‘There is so much pressure on young people. Exam after exam […]
From Harvard to Hospital, Hakeem Rahim
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 […]
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’, […]
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, […]
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, […]
Addiction Counsellor Uncut, George Atiase
Addict Turned Substance Abuse Counsellor and Lecturer George Atiase is a London-based addiction counselor and lecturer. In this moving video, he opens up about his own battles with addiction and how he eventually learned that ‘it’s ok to be me’. Apart from his love for singing, bespoke jewelry, and his motorbike, George now devotes his […]
Fighting for your Child, Dani Maimone
Mother of Child with Eating Disorder and Depression Depression and anxiety among children and teenagers has soared. Yet a staggering 70 percent don’t receive help when they need it most. When Dani Maimone’s teenage daughter developed an eating disorder and became so depressed that all she wanted to do was die, Maimone faced years of fighting […]