‘Mental illness is so isolating, we want people to talk’
Adecade ago, in January 2008, Jonny Benjamin found himself standing on Waterloo bridge, contemplating jumping off – until personal trainer Neil Laybourn intervened.
By the time Neil had talked Jonny down, the police had arrived and Neil went on his way to work. It took Jonny, who suffers from schizoaffective disorder, six years to track down the Good Samaritan who had saved his life.
But out of that chance encounter sparked a friendship that has been lifechanging for both of them. The two men now campaign to raise much-needed awareness of the fact that male suicide is the biggest cause of death for men under 45 in the UK.
Jonny, 31, and Neil want us to all feel comfortable talking about mental health in order to dispel the taboo. They work together full time, taking their message to schools, prisons, companies and even the NHS.
They are setting up a foundation – Beyond Shame, Beyond Stigma – and they have run the London marathon for the charity Heads Together. Jonny has been awarded an MBE for his services to mental health and he’s a published author, too.
The pair are firm advocates of early intervention and prevention when it comes to mental health problems.
Sadly, Jonny wasn’t able to attend the awards because he still struggles with his mental health, but the words Neil used on the bridge that day – ‘It’ll get better, mate, you will get better’ – help him through.
When Neil, 35, took to the stage to accept their award, he said, ‘I know Jonny would want me to talk about why he’s not here tonight.’ It’s what we’re trying to raise awareness of and help everyone to do – to talk about mental health.’
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