Mark's story

“I went to James’ Place for help late last year after I made an attempt on my life. Things had been difficult for me for a few years prior to that. When my son was born I really struggled to adjust and then my relationship broke down. I sustained an injury at work which ultimately meant I was out of work, then lockdown hit and I was on my own a lot, in my own head too much. I was drinking and using drugs to escape reality, meanwhile I had no money coming in and the bills were mounting up. I didn’t feel I could talk to anyone about how I was feeling.”

My ex partner was worried about me and came to see me – she’d done some research and found out about James’ Place and within a few days I was booked in for my first session with a therapist. I’d had talking therapies before and they didn’t really work for me, they took place over the phone and I didn’t really open up or tell the truth about what was going on. I can be quite stubborn so I wasn’t sure whether this would work either but it was completely different. My therapist just got me right away. She was so easy to talk to, almost like a friend, that I looked forward to going to see her every week for a coffee and a chat and it’s such a nice building to go to.

Over time, she really helped me get out of the rut I was in, unpacking all the reasons I was feeling suicidal and making me see there was another way.  She took me from rock bottom to feeling alive again, and when I left James’ Place seven weeks later I feel completely different. I started to take pride in myself again, look after myself better, making sure I was showering, shaving, eating better. I felt more optimistic about my future. I’ve sold my house to clear some debt and I’m applying for jobs. I want to be here for my son and I want to have a future. Sometimes I read through the report that I got when I left James’ Place just to remind myself how far I’ve come since the day I first went there. I feel like if I can get through this I can get through anything – but I know that if I need help again James’ Place is there.”

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