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Real life stories:

• How we can help you | in Home
• Get involved | in Home
• Tell us your story | in Take action
• Media volunteering: what's involved? | in Media opportunities
  People with direct experience of mental distress can raise awareness of mental health issues by sharing their story with the media.
• Share your story | in Get involved
• Katherine's story | in Volunteer team
• Marina's story | in Volunteer team
• Julia's story | in Case Study
  Pressures at work started to build up and I had to take time off with stress. After three months the stress turned into depression.
• Eating disorders are not a lifestyle choice | in Blog Post
  The development of my eating disorder, as with the majority of sufferers, was not a vain attempt to lose weight in order to resemble skinny models or celebrities.
• Loneliness shines | in Blog Post
  When depression becomes creativity it can reach out and help others to make sense of their own battles.
• Share your story | in Our campaigns
• Sarah's story | in Case Study
  I don’t know why I experience depression. What is important is that I now recognise it as an illness, rather than seeing myself as a useless failure, and can therefore recover to better health.
• Allowing the change within | in Blog Post
  Depression awareness week: Steve describes his journey from depression to recovery, and what he learned on the way.
• Changing perspectives | in Blog Post
  Depression awareness week: A mental health nurse shares his experience of struggling to interpret his own signs of depression.
• My own war | in Blog Post
  In our last depression awareness week post, Andy describes his struggle with depression, antidepressants and self harm.
• A ludicrous idea | in Blog Post
  When a friend of mine suggested that I ought to look at joining a gym I could not think of anything I would be less likely to do.
• Jump for Mind - Jenny's story | in Blog Post
  I was planning a sky dive with colleagues as a personal challenge and fundraising exercise and after my mum died I decided to organise a jump for Mind.
• A day on the Mind infoline | in Blog Post
  Our help line workers speak to hundreds of people each week. What do people want to talk about?
• Veolia - Charity of the Year | in Our corporate partners
  We plan to inspire Veolia staff to organise fundraising events as well as take part in Mind’s sponsored events and raffles.
• Online round up: people living with mental distress | in Blog Post
  A few blogs about living with mental distress that have been shared with Mind this week.
• Coping with coming off benzodiazepines | in Blog Post
  John talks about how he started using Atvian/lorazepam for anxiety and his struggle to come off.
• Not just a girl's disease... | in Blog Post
  Mark speaks about his experiences with anorexia nervosa for Eating Disorders Awareness Week and for Mind's new report on men and mental health.
• Gemma's story: finding ways to cope | in Blog Post
  Gemma shares her experiences of mental distress, how she copes and the things that make her happy.
• London man takes on epic challenge with doubled-up London Marathon | in News Story
  For most people, the London Marathon is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to run 26 miles. For 34-year-old Londoner Robin Harvie, that is simply not challenging enough.
• Working with bipolar disorder | in Blog Post
  "Telling my employer about my diagnosis was one of the scariest things I have ever done." Lexy shares her experiences 'coming out' in work situations. Part of our series on mental health at work.
• Borderline personality disorder and work | in Blog Post
  "Long before I even knew the name of the condition I was living with, I was acutely aware of how I just didn’t seem to ‘fit’ in the workplace." A guest post from Kayla - part of our blog series on mental health at work.
• Small steps to improve mental health at work | in Blog Post
  We all have a responsibility to support people in the workplace during both good times and bad. Andrea Woodside talks about the things we can do to be more supportive. Part of our mental health at work series.
• Challenge the stigma of mental health at work | in Blog Post
  Bernadette shares her experiences of living with mental distress. Part of our series on mental health at work.
• Should I ‘come out’ about my mental health issue at work? | in Blog Post
  You’re not going to like my answer… ‘no’, not at the moment. Julie guest blogs as part of our campaign for better mental health at work.
• My experience of depression at work | in Blog Post
  "Once I had admitted my depression to senior managers, I thought my career would be over." John is a Partner at Deloitte. He was surprised at how supportive his workplace and colleagues were during a time of crisis.
• Depression in the digital age | in Blog Post
  Guest post from Jane on how online resources and the Twitter community have helped her get a handle on her depression.
• Returning to work following a BPD crisis | in Blog Post
  Sharon talks about her struggle to return to work, why she feels like she needs to work and the support she has gotten from her colleagues.
• Warning: questionnaires may damage your health | in Blog Post
  Lee describes his experience of being re-assessed for the new Employment and Support Allowance.
• Let’s talk about ... suicide | in Blog Post
  Charlotte on why it's crucial to talk about suicidal thoughts: "The times when I have found someone willing to listen to me, rather than trying to 'talk me out of it', have been a great relief."
• A space to level out | in Blog Post
  Stuart Semple blogs about how art helps him cope with his fears: "I’m Stuart Semple and I’m fearful that I’m allergic to life."
• Mr Elastic Brain | in Blog Post
  Douglas Cairns, AKA Sid Ozalid, talks about the road from punk poet to corporate high-flyer, his new book and how he learned to balance his mental health with a high-pressure job.
• How art helps me through tough times | in Blog Post
  This is a guest video blog by Ed and Kate Rosie on how the creative arts have helped Kate cope with her depression.
• The liberating force of creativity | in Blog Post
  My name is Aldrick Monteiro, and I have been writing poetry on and off for about 30 years. I have also been suffering with schizophrenia for nearly 40 years.
• Art as psychotherapy | in Blog Post
  Laura blogs about her experiences of art psychotherapy: "I saw my referral to art therapy as a soft option."
• Blogging about anorexia | in Blog Post
  Carrie on how blogging and the community she found online has helped with her recovery: "I never thought my body would be able to run in this race after all that it has been through."
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder, not so funny anymore | in Blog Post
  For OCD awareness week and in advance of World Mental Health Day, Charlotte blogs about the stigma around OCD: "Please stop belittling the suffering that hides behind this witty acronym."
• My experience with the black dog | in Blog Post
  Martin talks about his experience of depression and how his dog Moose has helped him through. “I love the simplicity he brings to life: sleeping when he needs to sleep, running when he wants to run, being happy when he is happy"
• Feeling better outside: Ecominds and Thames21 | in Blog Post
  After experiencing long periods of physical and mental illness, Simon Reddecliffe joined Thames21’s Ecominds project to restore some self-confidence. The experience transformed his life for the better.
• My journey into work - part 2 | in Blog Post
  Alison has started working again after 13 years on incapacity benefits. In this blog Alison struggles with self value, in work benefits and making mistakes.
• Why MoneySupermarket ran for Mind | in Blog Post
  Clare blogs about supporting Mind in memory of her husband, Mark Hanson: "The support I’ve received over the last seven months has been incredible."
• Experience into practice: working in mental health | in Blog Post
  Ally, who has personal experience of mental health problems, is training to be a clinical psychologist: "I see my experiences as giving me a unique perspective that helps me to generate ideas about how I can better meet individuals' needs."
• Painting emotions: art and mental health | in Blog Post
  For contemporary artist Dale Grimshaw, painting has been a lifesaver. Here, he writes about how painful early experiences inform his work. Readers may find some sections of this blog triggering.
• The secret work of Mind | in Blog Post
  Tracey shares her experiences of bipolar, depression and working with Mind: "I had never met anyone so kind, supportive and non-judgemental that genuinely wanted to help me."
• Meet Me in Winter | in Blog Post
  Katie blogs about how being open about her diagnosis of bipolar disorder has helped her to cope. This inspired her project Meet Me in Winter which brings people together and encourages them to share their stories.
• Counselling saved my life | in Blog Post
  Sharon shares her experience of therapy at a local Mind: "Every time I went for my therapy I found the people there warm, kind, and most importantly non-judgemental, which was the most important part."
• I can't see into the future | in Blog Post
  Even sympathetic employers can sometimes find it hard to understand mental health problems. This blog vividly illustrates some of the barriers to disclosing a mental health problem at work .
• PMDD and me | in Blog Post
  Cat writes about the struggle she went through to get a diagnosis of pre menstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), and how she uses her creativity as an outlet.
• I love quizzes, don’t you? | in Blog Post
  Karen blogs about a pub quiz she organised to support Mind.
• Be well in 2012 | in Blog Post
  At the beginning of a new year, Michelle reflects on her past attempts to 'better' herself.
• London Marathon: Charlie's story | in Blog Post
  Charlie Watson is running the London marathon for Mind in memory of her friend Vic.
• Life is a roller coaster | in Blog Post
  Mind Member Selina writes about the ups and downs of life in 2011, and looks forward to 2012.
• Book review - The Happy Depressive | in Blog Post
  Ilona reviews The Happy Depressive: In Pursuit of Personal and Political Happiness, a new ebook from Mind ambassador Alastair Campbell.
• My creative therapy | in Blog Post
  Agata, who has been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, describes how art has provided an important creative outlet, soothing her symptoms and helping her through life.
• Does this black cloud have a silver lining? | in Blog Post
  Paul describes the "whole weather system" of depression and asks whether there's been an upside to his experiences of it.
• Digital Stories - One Year On | in News Story
  Mind Cymru launches four new digital stories this St David's Day. They were made by four people living with a mental health problems as part of a digital storytelling course.
• The importance of volunteering | in Blog Post
  Tracey blogs about the difference volunteers at her local Mind have made. And why they inspired her to become one.
• My dark companion | in Blog Post
  Beccy blogs about her struggle with depression: "My dark companion may always be with me but I refuse to let it define who I am."
• Why we need better crisis care | in Blog Post
  Mike blogs about his experience of crisis care before heading in to Parliament this afternoon to meet his MP.
• Cycle of recovery | in Blog Post
  Graeme blogs about how he is fulfilling his dream of cycling the entire coast of the UK, raising money and awareness along the way.
• The race of my life | in Blog Post
  Three years ago, Amy's agoraphobia made it difficult to leave the house. Next month she'll be lining up in a crowd of thousands to run the London Marathon.
• I couldn’t pretend anymore | in Blog Post
  When Sandra was struggling with cancer and depression, it was her mental health problems that those around her found most difficult to deal with. Here, she blogs about the support she found through her local Mind.
• A mother's story | in Blog Post
  Sarah opens up about her postnatal mental health problems and the distressing and confusing feelings she had for her infant daughter.
• Mindcast shortlisted for a Sony Radio Academy Award | in News Story
  We are delighted that Radio DJ and Mind Media Awards judge Matt Wilkinson and Mind media volunteer Siobhan O’Neil have been nominated for a very prestigious Sony Radio Academy Award.
• Earthquakes and aftershocks | in Blog Post
  In this guest post, Karl blogs about getting through the 'earthquakes' of the mind, and why it's important to plan for your darkest days.
• Talking about BPD | in Blog Post
  Amy blogs about the experiences that led to her diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder, and why the stigma surrounding it makes it so hard to open up. Please be aware that this post includes discussion of suicidal thoughts.
• Is society mentally unhealthy? | in Blog Post
  Helen blogs about the "heaving ocean" of depression and asks why whether we should be more concerned about the mental health of society.
• 26.2 reasons why I run | in Blog Post
  This Sunday, Liz will run the London Marathon in memory of her mum, who took her own life 12 years ago. Here, she celebrates all those who've been by her side as she prepares for the challenge.
• A marathon for dad | in Blog Post
  Despite only recently recovering from an ankle injury, Kate will be running the London Marathon today in memory of her dad. Here, she blogs about her journey to the starting line.
• Why ‘outing’ your fears is the first step towards freedom | in Blog Post
  Dre blogs about his struggle with depression: dealing with work stress, 'coming out' on the internet and his own unique journey of recovery.
• Wild swimming soothed my mind | in Blog Post
  Maureen blogs about finding the courage try open water swimming, and the difference getting outside made to her mental health.
• My double life: living with depression | in Blog Post
  David shares his experience of depression: "I feel like I am locked in a dark room, where I cannot be heard".
• Silly old stigma: Talking about depression and anxiety | in Blog Post
  Amy shares her experiences of depression and anxiety as well as her thoughts on why it's so important to open up about these and fight 'that silly old stigma'.
• Snapped out of it! | in Blog Post
  In depression awareness week Esther, winner of our autumn photo competition for Ecominds, tells us about how she uses photography to help keep her depression in check.
• Depression and anxiety on the parliamentary estate | in Blog Post
  Sadie blogs about managing depression and anxiety at work, and the strain that a life in politics can place on your mental health.
• The week I let ITV film my depression | in Blog Post
  "Yes, this is me. I’m a man, I have a mental health problem and I’m happy to say it."
• Being a face of Mind | in Blog Post
  Polly, who took part in a Mind photo shoot in October last year, talks to Laura about how the experience gave her the confidence to be open about her mental health.
• The silence of dogs in cars - reflecting depression | in Blog Post
  Photographer Martin Usborne blogs about his latest project - a book exploring depression from a unique angle: dogs left alone in cars.
• Getting help - when enough is enough | in Blog Post
  Tony blogs about deciding to get help from his local Mind: "I reached a point over a year ago when I decided: 'Enough is enough!'"
• Why we need excellent crisis care everywhere | in Blog Post
  Sarah writes about two very different experiences of mental health crisis care and explains why excellent crisis care needs to be consistent and available everywhere.

Tags (entire site): Mental health conditions, Real life stories