A Charlie Waller Memorial Trust project
in memory of Matthew Wood and
Matthew Elvidge.
www.cwmt.org.uk
Support networks
- 5
- 5
Elena is still working on overcoming her depression, but she is no longer concerned about suicide and feels that she has learnt how to manage the depression better.
Read Elena's Story- 2
- 4
Tan Huan survived strongly suicidal thoughts by working hard to find meaning in his life in the face of difficult experiences, and by relying on the support of his family.
Read Tanhuan's Story- 5
- 7
Mike relates his depression back to living as a black child in an area of the country with very little cultural diversity and experiencing a lot of bullying.
Read Mike's Story- 8
- 7
Severe bullying at school and betrayal by a best friend meant that Ben came to hate himself and found it very hard to trust others. He came close to suicide but is proud of building his life back up again.
Read Ben's Story- 7
- 11
Bullying at school set Katie off in a downward spiral towards a suicide attempt at 17. Following a bout of chronic fatigue syndrome she has learnt what helps her combat both CFS and depression...
Read Katie's Story or View Katie's posts- 4
- 7
After a tough childhood in the Ukraine, Tomas was suddenly moved to the UK as a teenager and had difficulties relating to his new stepfather and adapting in school. Depression led to a suicide attempt and has affected his studies...
Read Tomas's Story or View Tomas's posts- 4
- 5
Having never had significant low feelings before, when Charlie felt low after some stress in his A-level year he hid how he felt from friends and family, but found himself in a worsening downward spiral. When he finally confided in someone it made a big difference...
Read Charlie's Story or View Charlie's posts- 4
- 10
Missing home at the start of his first year, Daniel found himself increasingly severely affected by low mood triggered by unhappiness on his course and relationship difficulties. He is proud of successfully tackling things without using anti-depressants...
Read Daniel's Story or View Daniel's posts- 4
- 12
Low self worth spiralled into depression during Hannah's first year. Anti-depressant medication and a supportive academic department have helped her continue at uni...
Read Hannah's Story or View Hannah's posts- 2
- 12
A shy person from a close-knit family, James found the move away to his second choice university and course triggered a downward spiral into depression. He hopes the story of his experience will help others challenge their resistance to seeking help...
Read James's Story- 6
- 8
Years of bullying at school led to social anxiety and depression for Megan, who found socialising and making new friends at uni particularly difficult. Having the courage to tell someone how she was feeling helped her seek further support...
Read Megan's Story or View Megan's posts- 5
- 15
Racism and confusion over her mixed-race identity gave depression a way in to Leigh's life. Grief over a miscarriage more recently 'pushed her to the edge', but she has found several creative strategies for moving forward...
Read Leigh's Story or View Leigh's posts- 3
- 8
Pressured by his parents to study medicine, Hiresh procrastinated and withdrew into isolation and depression. Now enrolled in an arts-based masters, he is challenging depressed habits with the support of his boyfriend...
Read Hiresh's Story or View Hiresh's posts- 9
- 10
An international PhD student, Alma made a serious suicide attempt in her teens and has battled with depression for most of her life. Intensive therapy has given her tools to help manage her depression and live productively...
Read Alma's Story or View Alma's posts- 3
- 6
Issues contributing to Tony's longstanding low mood include low self-esteem, social phobia, and unresolved gender dysphoria. He has found general counselling useful at times, but feels he needs more concrete advice to be able to move forward...
Read Tony's Story or View Tony's posts- 6
- 4
Sharon overcame a history including teenage pregnancy and an abusive marriage when a health visitor noticed her depression and encouraged her to join the local Sure Start programme, gradually building confidence so that she now aims to complete a degree...
Read Sharon's Story or View Sharon's posts- 10
- 10
Coming out as gay early in secondary school added to the effects of a turbulent family life for Dani, who turned to daily self harm to cope with her self loathing and depression. Counselling and the support of friends and her partner has helped her turn things around...
Read Dani's Story or View Dani's posts- 4
- 12
Postgrad international student Joshua has battled insecurity and self-loathing developed over a lifetime of comparison with a high-achieving elder sibling, but in recent years has started to replace depressive rumination with compassionate self-understanding...
Read Joshua's Story or View Joshua's posts- 5
- 10
Inability to reconcile his gay sexual orientation and family strife contributed to John's low mood as a teenager and recurrent depressive episodes later. Self acceptance, actively seeking meaningful purpose in life and other self help strategies have all been useful strategies...
Read John's Story or View John's posts- 6
- 11
Mature foreign student Jana suddenly experienced panic attacks while working full time and commuting long hours to college to study for her foundation degree. She found CBT self-help strategies the most useful in moving forward and is now pursuing her studies at university...
Read Jana's Story or View Jana's posts- 6
- 11
Nicky was a painfully shy child who was then bullied at secondary school. After many years of self harming in a variety of ways, she was finally able to seek help herself and build a support network at university, including a mentor funded by the Disabled Student's Allowance...
Read Nicky's Story or View Nicky's posts- 5
- 8
PhD student Dave learnt to bottle up his feelings at an early age, leaving him vulnerable to peer pressure and lacking his own identity. Depression in his second year led to him dropping out and starting on a new course after clarifying his life values and building more supportive relationships with friends and family...
Read Dave's Story or View Dave's posts- 3
- 8
Zoe's long-standing habit of perfectionism and the resulting anxiety and self-criticism made her vulnerable to depression, which was eventually triggered by a build up of stress over unpleasant accommodation. She suddenly felt cut off from reality, but medication and self help have helped her back on track...
Read Zoe's Story or View Zoe's posts- 9
- 5
A family history of depression, problems with parents and bullying at school all made Simon vulnerable to increasingly severe bouts of depression and self harm. Professional help including group counselling has helped him engage with his postgraduate course and a more supportive relationship...
Read Simon's Story or View Simon's posts- 10
- 9
Bullying, a bad accident, and a mother with mental illness contributed to Martha's depression and suicide attempt at 16. Professional help through the mental health services have helped her learn coping strategies to manage her overwhelming feelings and give up a variety of self harming behaviours...
Read Martha's Story or View Martha's posts- 11
- 6
A traumatic childhood of deprivation and abuse left Daya vulnerable to severe depression from an early age. With a history of troubled relationships, self harm and suicide attempts, she eventually found sanctuary in a therapeutic community which gave the support she needed to turn her life around.
Read Daya's Story or View Daya's posts- 9
- 5
After suffering serious physical abuse from an alcoholic mother and losing his home, Pete has had to fight hard for his education and is embarking on his first year at uni after successfully completing a college Access course...
Read Pete's Story or View Pete's posts- 8
- 8
Hospitalised at 12 for suicidal intent after her father's unacknowledged mental illness made home life unbearable, Mina gradually took control over the depression which still sometimes affects her and now describes herself as a basically happy person.
Read Mina's Story or View Mina's posts- 1
- 4
Depression crept up on Luke after he suddenly found himself ill with chronic fatigue. As well as using self-help techniques he also found counselling helpful, despite having believed he wasn't the 'type' for it.
Read Luke's Story or View Luke's posts- 7
- 5
Racist bullying and isolation brought about severe depression and suicide attempts for Angus, but he now channels his feelings into his creative pursuits and studies and vows to resist the depression so his tormentors will never 'win'.
Read Angus's Story or View Angus's posts