Hi, I am Mike, thank you for letting me share my story with you. At the age of 20 I was diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder. The average person with obsessive compulsive disorder suffers 10 years in silence before reaching out and asking for help and sadly I had done the same. Unfortunately the condition took such a grip of me, I reached a stage where I was also suffering from clinical anxiety and cinical depression. I am very fortunate that I have an incredibly supportive and loving family and friends. I was also very fortunate to work with an excellent psychologist. Who gave me all the tools to make a great recovery and get back to the things that give me meaning, purpose and fulfilment in my life.

I now volunteer to support a project called FC Not Alone who raise much needed awareness for male mental health and money for CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserablly) CALM do incredible work to help men with their mental health. 

Sadly suicide is the biggest killer of men under 45 in this country which absolutely breaks my heart. That statistic has to change. I do not want my nephew, Godsons and all children of today to grow up in a world where that is still true. I now volunteer to talk about my own struggles in the hope that it creates awareness and gives other people hope and strength just as others who opened up gave to me when I was struggling.

CALM work relentlessly to prevent suicide and help all men with their mental health.

Many of CALM’s usual fund raising channels are not able to happen with lockdown and social distancing in place. Therefore I am shaving off my lockdown locks in the hope I could raise some much needed money so CALM can continue to do the excellent work they do. I know it’s tough for everyone financially but if anyone could share a few pounds I would be very grateful.

Thanks for reading.

Love

Mike