News / Bristol
Bristol man speaks out about his battle with mental health issues
‘It took me completely by surprise,” says Liam Taylor of the downward spiral into depression that cost him his job and pushed his relationship to the brink.
After seeking support, the 23-year-old from Filton managed to turn his life around and is now sharing the story of his battle with mental health issues in the hope that it might help others facing a similar struggle.
Liam said the problems began when he was left reeling after finding out the man he thought was his dad was not his real father.
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It was not until he finally sought help from Bristol-based support service Off The Record (OTR) that things started to change and he says it is hard to sum up how much of a difference the charity has made in his life.
“Being far too stubborn, I did not get help straight away and so it got worse,” says Liam.
“I had the same stigma that a lot of people do about mental health issues and I thought, ‘I’m stronger than this’.
“I would have mood swings and I’d shut myself away, I had no attention span at all and I had issues with my temper. Christmas was when it really got bad, at which point, my girlfriend said if I don’t get help that would be it.”
Liam went to see his family doctor, who he said was fantastic, referring him straight on to a mental health nurse who, in turn, pointed him the direction of OTR.
“It was hard walking into OTR for the first time, just because I was not comfortable talking about what has happened and where I was,” he recalls.
“But the people there were all so friendly and welcoming, they make the atmosphere really calm and relaxing so when you do go into a counselling session, it’s not so nerve wracking.”
Liam had formal counselling and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), a therapy that helps change the way you think and understand why you think as you do.
He said his girlfriend, Kelly Hawkes, was a brilliant support. He credits his former employer with being very patient, although eventually he took too much time off in the midst of his depression and lost his job in mortgage services.
Liam, pictured with friends on the football pitch, has spoken out to prove mental health issues can affect anyone.
Now recovered, he is back on the job hunt and says it is tough having to explain to prospective employers about his past issues, but added that once he is open about it, people are incredibly understanding.
Liam has finished his time with OTR, but said it is really good to know that if he feels he is slipping back at all, the support system is still there.
“I cannot that the guys at OTR enough,” said Liam.
“They were all so incredible throughout the whole process, it’s something that I will never forget. Once I had finished there, I took a bit of time and then asked if there is anything I can do to give back. Even if I help one person, I have done my bit. There are so many people who are ashamed talk about it and ashamed to admit they have a problem.
“I’m nothing special, I’m just a normal 23-year-old guy who goes to the gym and likes pizza. Perhaps if people see that it can happen to anyone, it might be easier for them to accept.”
Bristol is marking Mental Health Awareness Week with a ‘Five a day’ campaign.
Read more: ‘Mental health is the most pressing concern among Bristol’s young people’
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