Lucy Hamilton: Am I Really Like That?
It is often asked what advice you would give to your younger self. We come up with answers like – stop being so hard on yourself, or trust that everything will work out, or perhaps invest in bitcoin. This advice is easy to give in hindsight. At the time though, it can feel impossible to … Continued
M’s Story
M’s Story Age: 31 Male I started having depression and anxiety when I was 13 or 14. I spent some time in youth rehabilitation services. Because of family circumstances I picked up the drink from a young age and became addicted to alcohol. It affected my mental health badly. A doctor diagnosed my mental health … Continued
Kelly’s Story
Kelly’s Story Age: 25 (came to Sheffield in 2006 from Zimbabwe) I lost my brother when I was 8 and I became very depressed and it got worse when I lost my sister too. It was more like a trigger or something. I am afraid of losing people. I think it was after my sister’s … Continued
Ruth Durkin: I’m Fine, Thanks
It’s something I think we’re all guilty of at times; we see someone while we’re walking somewhere and ask how they are without stopping to hear their answer. People most often say “Fine thanks, how are you?” Do we ever answer honestly, and how do people react if you share with them that things aren’t … Continued
Fatima’s Story
Fatima’s Story Age: 45 Black Somali As a child I was in foster care. At the age of 16 I got depressed and at my late 20th, I had my first psychotic episode. I was paranoid. Problems with a racist and abusive neighbour made my life more difficult. Because of their racist harassment and damage … Continued
Jane Peryer: From One Disaster to the Next
I was until recently living in the Scottish Borders but events have led me back to Sheffield. I had a lovely cottage and a wonderful dog called Domino who was a boxer. I suffer from severe depression and anxiety disorder and have been ill for a very long time. I had a mouse problem so … Continued
Ruth Durkin: Looking After Mummy
I’ve always wanted to be a mum. In 2017 I had my first child, a beautiful boy called Gabriel. Pregnancy and motherhood can be challenging and overwhelming for all women but I’ve had a few added complications due to my mental health. I’m lucky to have some wonderful support around me but over the past … Continued
Elizabeth Shane: Look Up
Look up. Two simple words once said to me and resonated. I never realised until recently, that I have spent most of my life looking down. Looking down through shame, through fear, through self-loathing and feeling too vulnerable for people to look into my eyes and heart in case they saw the darkness I felt. … Continued
Ainsley: How Talking and Being Open Has Helped Me
I’m a mixed race man with 2 children, who was brought up and lived in Sheffield the whole of my life. There are a couple of reasons why I’m writing this, one is that I’m involved in a campaign to get more Black men talking about their mental health – which should help prevent Black … Continued
Alex’s Story
Alex’s story Age: 28 Male (from Eastern Europe) I moved to the UK about 10 years ago. In my home country I am still part of an ethnic minority group which means that sometimes I am confronted with the idea that I don’t belong there. Here, in the UK, I am a foreigner, so sometimes … Continued
Hannah’s Story
Hannah’s story Age: 30 I became depressed in my early teens when I was looking after my mum who was suffering from mental health difficulties. She committed suicide when I was 21. I was her carer and had to look after my younger brother too whilst my dad was away. I spent a lot of … Continued
Norrms McNamara: Challenging My Dementia Demon
My wife was a full-time carer before I was diagnosed with dementia and now she looks after me. Elaine saw the little signs first, I was doing some very weird and wonderful things as we say, like putting red hot tea in the fridge, emptying my wallet and ripping up notes, as well as emptying … Continued