The following blog posts are written by people with personal experience of depression. By talking openly, our bloggers hope to increase understanding around mental health, break stereotypes and take the taboo out of something that – like physical health – affects us all.

Depression: winning the battle

April 25, 2012

Photo of Tom, a Time to Change bloggerI’ve read a number of inspiring articles featured in the Time to Change campaign, and I wanted to contribute my own story.

I think it’s fantastic that so many people are coming out and being honest about their own struggles (and successes) with their mental health. By doing so, they are certainly helping to break down the dogged stigma that endures.

When's the right time?

April 23, 2012

Attitude: it's all up to youOne of the hardest conversations I’ve ever had to have came when I decided I had to tell one of my best friends about my battle with depression.

The first day I settled on telling her, I couldn’t. I had built myself up, all ready to state the fact, and then to answer the questions that I knew would come later.

The hardest thing was telling her I needed help

April 18, 2012

Photo of man riding a bike | Marc is a Time to Change bloggerI have struggled and battled with depression, for several years - albeit unbeknown to me. I took to drink to disguise what I was feeling inside.

I went down this path for many years - from the age of 17 until I was around 30. I am surprised that I am still alive.

Depression at work: keeping quiet

April 12, 2012

Photo of Jules, a Time to Change bloggerI have spent the last decade of my working life trying to prove that I am not a failure and trying not to admit that I might be, by forcing myself to keep quiet about my depression. The Time to Change project has made me think about this a lot, raised questions within me and forced me to confront my own contribution to stigma.

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