Blog Categories

I've been following Time to Change for just over a year and I've even done some promotional work for the cause at my workplace. I followed quite silently proud to support but unsure how to do more.

So, I’m sat on the sofa on a Sunday morning, bleary eyed and (Time to Change) mug of hot chocolate in hand, digesting what happened the day before. Yesterday I came out to the public as 1 in 4. I didn’t know what to expect, or how I would react... never mind the reaction of those I told my story to! But let me tell you this, I was not expecting the result I got from being part of the Time To Change Village on Southbank.

Since I can remember I have been raising my heart rate: climbing trees, jumping from walls, playing immense hours of football on car parks and fields. But the year 2011 saw my heart rate decline. It felt as though it had been extinguished all together.

With a diagnosis of bipolar and borderline personality disorder, I have managed my mental health pretty well over the years, even if I do say so myself. I have stayed employed, volunteered for charity and even found someone to marry me! And the one person who has been there every step of the way is, of course, my mum. Supportive, often humorous and always on my side, my mum Chris is an inspiring woman in so many ways, however one instance springs to mind when I think of how much I still need her, even though I am a grown woman with a home and life of my own now.

These are the words which you worry you’ll come across time after time when you are diagnosed with what is now clinically referred to as ‘Health Anxiety’. Of course everyone becomes concerned with their health at certain points in their life but, for me, health anxiety became debilitating when it combined with the onset of depression at the beginning of last year.

When asked to write about a book, author or character that has given me an insight into my own mental health I realised that there were actually two ‘sets’ of books I read that give me awareness of my  mental health issues; classics such as Great Expectations, Pride and Prejudice and Vanity Fair and psychological thriller/suspense fiction by authors like Steven King and Dean Koontz.

To those who know me, this might  be news: I suffered from multiple eating disorders. As this Eating Disorders Awareness Week (EDAW) is based around "Breaking the silence" I've just broken the silence in that.

Those words by the poet Philip Larkin have resonated with me for many years. They are so simple and yet so powerful.

The year was 2004. I had not long ago had a breakdown and had been diagnosed with Bipolar II. I was 31 and my world had been turned upside down. I had worked from the age of 9 and by this point I had gone on sick leave from a lousy job that I invested long hours in. Most of my friends and family had turned their backs on me. I hated men after having been in many unhealthy relationships.

I just read a post by a good online friend (one I have been lucky enough to also meet in real life albeit over a year ago), the lovely Clive Edwards.

Like my gender, sexuality, occupation, and the colour of my skin, Bipolar Affective Disorder doesn’t define my whole identity, but it is a significant part of it. Though therapy and medication have stabilised my day-to-day moods, my condition remains an intrinsic part of me and of how I experience the world. And I wouldn’t have it any other way – because I am me.

My name is Sitara. I am 22 and live in the south west of England with some other girls. I love to drink tea, sing, and am currently training to be a teacher. I also have a mental illness. I suffer from anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. It’s something that I have found really hard: each day is different and each day is a challenge 

Well, it's the holidays again, and whether you celebrate Hannukah, Solstice, Kwanzaa, Christmas, or no specific day at all, you have no doubt been affected by the season. From the endless loops of carols in the increasingly busy stores, to arguing with your partner over filling out Christmas cards, to buying presents for increasingly-difficult-to-shop-for family members (I'm looking at you, mum!), to t

Facing his fear of the open ocean to raise awareness of the Time to Change campaign.

A wind of change has breezed into my life – or should I say a hurricane. I've decided to take a short career break to take on a rather epic challenge.

When I was a young boy, pop star Adam Ant was one of my heroes. My dad delights in recalling how I used to jump off our sofa, emulating the highwayman’s leap onto a horse in the video for Stand and Deliver, which I loved watching on Top of the Pops.

I have been meaning to write a blog about the Time To Change roadshow in Exeter for a while. Now I’ve come to do it I actually feel that the times has given me better reflections than if I’d done it earlier on.

The Time to change campaign is so so important as many people suffering from mental health problems feel the stigma and discrimination attached to having a mental illness is harder to cope with than the illness itself.

I’ve been left with an overwhelming feeling, actually a glow, of admiration and inspiration having been in Harrow last week at the launch of our joint pilot campaign to reach the South Asian community.

After more than a year and a half of hard work from so many local people, the event was buzzing with an overwhelming amount of offers of support and encouragement.

Time to Change Champion Kate Wilkinson reviews Shakespeare's Globe's production of 'Bedlam' and reflects on how attitudes and treatments have changed...

While Time to Change works within England, stigma and discrimination affect people with mental health problems worldwide - and we think of ourselves as being part of an international family of anti-stigma programmes. Over the last few years we have been proud to support campaigns in other countries as they get off the ground by sharing our learning - and in the last few weeks, we have welcomed two new additions to the family!

Out There is one of Time to Change's project in Cumbria, and helps to promote mental wellbeing by using the unique outdoor environment of the Lake District for a range of activities. Ian has been involved with the project first as a service user, and now as a staff member.

"Before I came across Time to Change, I was depressed and living on benefits. I didn't have much enthusiasm for life and had become isolated.

Several hours have past, since my latest satisfying swim at my local pool. The result of that 30 minute immersion is my current state of emotional tranquility, clarity of thought and last but not least, aching limbs.

Ruby Wax has experienced episodes of depression for most of her life, but it wasn't until she finally checked into a clinic, that she realised how widespread mental problems are: "It's so common, it could be anyone. The trouble is, nobody wants to talk about it. And that makes everything worse."