Please see below my journey for you to read out at your talk.

I just wanted to write about my journey and my struggles with mental health and the impact of the help and support that was given to me by Diane Pulley.

For me as a 35 year old male, its been hard to open up and talk about my struggles.

My journey started about 18 months, after the break-up of an 8-year relationship.

For the first 6 months I was in complete denial that I was struggling, but those struggles soon became apparent. I’d find myself struggling to get motivated, I couldn’t sleep at night. My mind would race and I’d over think everything. I felt alone!

I then started to drink heavily as I thought it would take the pain away, but it didn’t, it only made things worse.

I found myself all alone with no support network around me. I wanted to shout from the hill tops that I was in a dark place, but I couldn’t I didn’t want people to think I was weak. Then one day it hit me, I found myself crying for no apparent reason.

I reached out to a mate who I knew had been suffering with mental health issues and explained everything to him about how I was feeling. He told me to go to the doctors and seek help.

I, of course being stubborn, didn’t listen. That night I drank again excessively and the demons took over, this to the point where by I attempted to take my own life.

I knew I needed help, I wanted help! I swallowed my pride and made the leap and went to the doctors. I was prescribed medication and talk therapy.  This helped take the edge off how I was feeling.

I chose to move back home to get extra support and be around family.

I have being going to therapy now for almost 6 months, I have had ups and downs during in this time, but as I write this now I am in a better place.

I have come on a long journey from where I was to where I am now. I was in the darkest of places and had given up on life. I now know how to deal with my anxiety and depression. I am very open about my struggles, something I never thought I would be.

I have found that talking to people helps. Being able to be open and honest.

I’m sure Diane will confirm how bad I was and where I am now.

I will keep walking this journey. The past is the past and that can’t be changed but the future is unwritten. Write your own story.

Matt Hemmings