Mental health problems affect 1 in 4 people every year and no one should feel ashamed. By sharing our experiences, together we can end the stigma.

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School fails mental health test

December 20, 2011

I am subject to a gagging order. My employers thought it prudent to offer me a settlement and silence me by contract to ensure that I never utter a seditious line.

So here we go. I will tell you what I know.

For eight years I worked as a teacher. I was considered popular, if a little eccentric, with staff and students alike. Management had even described me as inspirational! I was involved in all aspects of the work from classroom teaching to organising school sports teams, overseas trips and excursions in the great outdoors.

Richard Hilson’s wind of change

December 16, 2011

Richard Hilson wearing captain's hat

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.

An experience of bipolar – all or nothing

December 7, 2011

I’m going to write a  series of blogs focusing on the  "taboo" behaviours associated with differing mental health disorders. No matter whether the behavior is public or private it helps to talk. My main aim is to get things out in the open so people do not have to feel alone and experience guilt, shame and self-loathing during or after an episode of being unwell. Make no mistake these behaviours, if left in denial, can destroy lives.

Two poems about my experience of mental health

December 2, 2011

Mental illness has affected me terribly for most of my life, and it is only recently over the last few years that I have really been able to begin to reclaim my life and start truly living again.

Over the years I have been through numerous counselling sessions, tried different medications and attempted countless self help techniques to try and overcome my struggles with the several different mental illnesses I have been affected by, including Depression, General Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Social Phobia and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD).

"Individual Liberty" - a breakthrough, not a breakdown.

November 28, 2011

To introduce myself, my name is Alex Roberts I am an artist, who lives and works in London. I work predominantly with paint, but explore other media such as film and installation too. I'm also a supporter of the Time to Change campaign.

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