Like many of us I have had mental health challenges all through my life from bullying to loss of family members. However, it HHwas an incident in 2023 that has changed me forever.

In that year I had a life changing car accident that has left me with many physical and mental health issues, in 2024 I was diagnosed with PTSD, Depression and Anxiety. I locked myself away, became angry, lost the ability to control or understand my emotions, felt worthless and confused, burned myself out every day at work so my family lost me.

I received CBT therapy and it helped a little but my brain would not accept what it was trying to achieve. On the 31st of January this year, I reached the point where I could not continue any longer. I’d had many suicidal thoughts but on this day I drove away from home, my wife had left that evening and I didn’t know if she was coming back. I drove away feeling the world and my family would be better off without me.

Long story short I attempted to take my own life. Thankfully I was unsuccessful.

The following day I took myself to the mental health team at RUH Bath, they were amazing, they saved me, I have a long road ahead  and I have new therapy starting, I have multiple operations to undergo.

But I’m the best I have been for many years, I now want to support others, I don’t want others to go through what I went through, I want every man out there to understand they are not alone, we are not alone and we can support each other.

I tried initially to start a walk myself a few months ago, but didn’t get any take up, Then Sean on the back of a traumatic experience that has affected many in Calne started the group, I joined and then reached out offering to help him with the running and managing of it, he gratefully accepted.

Knowing about Men Walking and Talking I then reached out, I believe being part of this network will enable us to reach a wider demographic of people, a larger area and ultimately help more people and ourselves.