Personal stories
Me, My Diagnosis and I
What’s it like to be told you have a mental illness or a personality disorder? For some, it brings relief…
Read MoreOn Identity: Self-Portrait as a Camera
When asked to write a self-portrait using an object as metaphor for the self, Wellbeing College attendee Mollie chose the camera as her object identity in her poem ‘We See Me A Little Different’.
Read MoreLiving in my car – Dan’s story
Dan tells his story to BBC Points West as part of Second Step’s #GetReal campaign.
Read MoreI can close the door and feel safe – Karen’s story
Karen describes the last two years of homelessness as a living hell, so it is uplifting to picture her in the sanctuary of her own home as a result of Second Step’s help.
Read MoreSurviving or thriving – Claire’s story
Second Step Communications Volunteer Claire has used the theme of surviving or thriving to look back at her long history of mental illness and reflect on when she’s been surviving and when she’s been thriving.
Read MoreI’m excited for the future – Paul’s story
Paul lost his one bed home of seven years and everything he owned while he was in psychiatric care. Paul was referred to Second Step for help.
Read MoreMy experience is my gift – Barry’s story
Barry’s story. Ex-serviceman Barry Double has nothing to lose. He faced death as a paratrooper in his early 20s and again when he tried to take his own life.
Read MoreI’m the expert in all this – Dean’s story
Mental health survivor Dean worked with his Second Step support worker, Rachel, to discover as much as he could about his mental health problems.
Read MoreThere’s no greater feeling – Seb’s volunteer story
Starting with Second Step was straightforward: I met with one of the Volunteer Coordinators, then completed my training.
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