Mind over matter
I thought.
“I used to be a complete workaholic and eventually when I did go back to work, I lasted half a day. I was still in denial over what had happened. One of the hardest parts of the recovery process was having to slow down.
“I now realise that I’d lost my identity in my business by just living for work. It took over my life for many years and now had to try to and find out what this word ‘relax’ means.
“My daughter, who lives in the Barcelona, flew back three times and looked at every mental health support groups she could.
“I started going to Mindspace on York Place, and I was sceptical at first about some of it, especially the meditation.
“I couldn’t believe it. The first time I walked out, it was like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I couldn’t wait for the next session.
“I’ve started going three times a week, and I don’t think I’ll ever stop.
“Andy’s Man Club, which has also started recently in Perth, does an amazing job.
“Both of these give you a secure, safe environment to sit down and share your thoughts with likeminded people. It’s good to talk and share, but if you don’t want to talk, that’s okay too - you just listen.
“I see myself as a survivor, not a victim. I would like to thank everyone mentioned in this article. Because of your support and guidance, my life looks brighter.”
Jillian Milne, CEO of Perth charity Mindspace, was delighted to help Colin.
Mindspace offers support and education to young people and adults through a communitybased approach to the care and treatment.
They can be contacted on 01738 631639 or at their branch on York Place.
She said: “We offer three or four different services, but we’ve been forced to make cuts due to underfunding.
“We help people share coping techniques and learn through peer support.”
Alex McLintock and Adam Allison, organisers of Andy’s Man Club in Perth, are pleased to be helping men like Colin open up.
Andy’s Man Club is a group which gives men over 18 the Adam Allison, Alex McClintock and Colin McNicol at an Andy’s Man Club meeting chance to speak openly to help cut the number of male suicides
They meet at McDiarmid Park on Monday nights from 7-9pm and can be contacted at perth@ andysmanclub.co.uk.
He said: “Colin’s story is incredibly powerful and through him, we’ve started a partnership with Mindspace where they refer men directly to us.
“We challenge the stigma around mental health through three pillars: nobody is a burden, it is not a weakness and nobody should feel embarrassed.”