The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Councillor talks about mental health struggle.
Ben’s on road to recovery thanks to counselling and medication
A councillor has told how he is no longer contemplating taking his own life.
Angus councillor Ben Lawrie said he is having counselling and taking medication to help him through the dark days.
Mr Lawrie, a fourth-year psychology student at St Andrews University, said he wanted to speak as openly as possible about his struggles ahead of the release of a documentary about his mental health journey.
Mr Lawrie attempted to take his own life in 2013 as he struggled with depression while studying at Dundee College.
He said: “Since then, I’ve noticed that the stigma has been greatly whittled down.
“People are a lot more open about mental health, a lot more willing to talk about it, quicker to recognise when their mental health is deteriorating and quicker to seek help for it.”
Mr Lawrie started campaigning on mental health issues three years ago and said services remain as “underfunded and understaffed” as they were in 2015.
He said: “We have some fantastic mental health professionals working hard so this is by no means an attack on them.
“What we need is the resources to deliver the services needed – it all comes down to political priorities.”
Mr Lawrie said he is now able to live a fuller life.
“Depression and anxiety are things that still really affect me to this day,” he said. “I still have dark days but suicide is something I’ve thankfully managed to rule out now.
“I’m lucky that I’m now able to afford private counselling and it’s really made a huge difference to me.
“It breaks my heart that not everyone has the same privilege to be able to pay for counselling like I do and it makes me more determined to campaign on improving our public mental health services so that everyone can get the help they need.
“I’m also on Beta Blockers now which don’t affect my depression at all but have really helped my anxiety and are helping me to live a fuller life.
“It’s important to be able to communicate how you’re feeling to your loved ones as well.
“Sometimes this is easier said than done as it can be hard finding the words to explain what you’re going through.”
Mr Lawrie has been working on a documentary called A Confession of Depression over the past couple of years with local filmmaker Stuart Burns.
The documentary is due for release on Youtube on March 14 after a screening at Monifieth High School for the people involved in the production.
gstrachan@thecourier.co.uk
Once a taboo subject, there is now a much wider acceptance of the need to talk about mental ill health. It is a welcome development.
In the past, too many people suffered in silence – and the results can be deadly.
Young Scottish men, in particular, have tended not to address mental health issues, many tragically taking their own lives rather than admitting they need help.
It is therefore most refreshing to hear local councillor and university student Ben Lawrie talking so candidly about his own struggles. By speaking out he is helping to tackle the stigma that was so prevalent just a few years ago.
Of course, such a public pronouncement will not be for everyone, but the essential message – the need to admit you have a problem and seek help – is universal.
Today we also report the inspirational case of young Forfar woman Laura Davidson.
Once struck down by a devastating eating disorder she is battling back and is even training for a marathon. Her mission is to spread the message: “It is OK not to be OK”.
Again, by being so open about her personal problems she is doing much to ensure others do not feel alone.
Lifting the burden of isolation from those suffering from sometimes crippling mental health issues is an important first step and those bold enough to speak out deserve much praise.