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 […]
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Exam After Exam After Exam, Jenny Pewsey
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, […]
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 […]
British film director, Nick Love
British Film Director It was never certain that Nick’s life would work out. ‘I’m a bona fide addict,’ says the successful British writer and film director. As a teenager growing up on a South London housing estate, Love went through an intense spell of petty crime and drug taking. ‘I’ve got addiction running through my […]
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, […]
Former Minister for Care and Support, Rt Hon Norman Lamb MP and Archie Lamb
MP & Son He is one of Britain’s most tireless mental health campaigners, a member of parliament, and former Minister of State for Care and Support. But most of all, Norman Lamb is a father. When, as a teen, his son Archie was diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder, finding treatment quickly proved difficult. This is the […]
Headmaster turned suicide awareness campaigner, Dick Moore
Waller Trainer for Schools and Young People (Charlie Waller Memorial Trust), Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor (MHFA England) The Moores were a privileged, fortunate, happy family. Then, in September 2011, the third of their four sons took his own life at the age of 21, after a break-up that led to depression. Dick Moore, who is […]
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 […]