Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. 

I'm raising money for a charity that is now part of my weekly mental health management. A charity that has not only helped me but is helping men every Monday night across the country. #ANDYSMANCLUB are peer to peer talking groups for men, offering an opportunity for men to talk, share and listen with other like minded men and to help them understand that #ITSOKAYTOTALK 

I was sectioned and admitted to hospital after a failed suicide attempt on Monday 26th October 2020. I’d hit rock bottom, a very dark place, feeling I had failed as a husband, father, son, brother and as a man. My professional life was a mess and whilst I'd worked hard, I also walked away from two jobs with big responsibilities and huge salaries due to my mental health. I held onto the regret far too much which lead to feeling worthless and a failure. I've struggled with my mental health for over 10 years, maybe longer, but I didnt speak to, or tell anyone how I felt.  Never wanting to admit how I was felling or ever really knowing what to say or do to help myself. Putting on a "mask" and trying to carry on as if nothing was wrong, hiding away and hoping i'd just get better was how I dealt with it. But the "mask" cant last forever, at some point it can no longer carry the weight and burden of the lies, instead it cracks and falls apart.

After 6 weeks in hospital, on-going therapy and finding #ANDYSMANCLUB, I’m now very grateful to be here. There's still  some way to go as I'm continuing to work on myself but I have more awareness, knowledge and understanding about how to manage  my mental health. I’m back working in finance which I never dreamed would happen and I love it, I have a better relationship with my son which is great, and I’m enjoying life again with family and friends. 

I volunteer every Monday with #ANDYSMANCLUB having opened groups in Southend-On-Sea, Chelmsford and soon to open in Basildon, where with the help of other volunteers, I'm able to help and support the men of Essex. As we approach the first birthday of AMC Southend nearly 900 men have walked through the doors of our Essex groups.