Joe's story

"The biggest challenge was admitting to myself that I needed help. Being a man, I didn’t know I was allowed to have these emotions and I didn’t know how to deal with them. I was nervous - I didn’t want to be judged.

"PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) from my time in the army, an abusive relationship,  health problems, debt . . . all these things built up. Feeling worthless and a failure, I was ready to end it all. It was only when I was about to take my own life that a police officer said something simple like “it can get better”. It broke my trance and it was only then that I first believed it could get better.

"I started to talk to someone and get help. Talking was the stone that laid the foundation of my recovery and although I still have memories I know how to deal with them.

"Don’t be scared to reach out; you aren’t going to be judged and hopefully, like me, you’ll feel a million times better.

"I always say to people now, “We can’t change yesterday but we can all change what happens tomorrow – it’s your call”. Talking is that first step of doing something about it."

_{Quotes are genuine, but names have been changed to protect confidentiality.}

Can your story help others?

Knowing that others have been through the same thing can encourage more people to seek help themselves. So if talking has helped you to turn your life around we're encouraging you to share your story.