Profiles

Here, you can find any of the interviews on this site.



Anton - Interview 13

Anton, 64, is an Asian man who came from Sri Lanka to the UK in 1962. He was diagnosed with bipolar disorder aged 45 and was given various medicines but none worked. Now he is not receiving any treatment' he was told by doctors they had "given up" on him.

  • Background

    Auditor, single. Ethnic background/nationality: Sri Lankan.

  • Age at interview 64
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Hanif - Interview 30

    Hanif, 49, describes himself as Indian and has lived in the UK for 25 years. Hanif experienced cannabis induced psychosis and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder aged 23. Hanif works in mental health, campaigning to reduce stigma.

  • Background

    Policy advisor in voluntary sector, married with 2 adult children and 1 younger child. Ethnic background/nationality: Indian (born in India); in UK for 25 years.

  • Age at interview 49
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Ali - Interview 33

    Ali, 27, was born in Pakistan and has been studying and working in the UK. Ali says that although it's easier to explain things to professionals from the same culture, as long as the other person is understanding, you can always clarify things.

  • Background

    Employed, single. Ethnic background/nationality: Pakistani (born in Pakistan).

  • Age at interview 27
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Sara - Interview 32

    Sara, 34, describes herself as Indian and has a diagnosis of depression. Sara's food bingeing was interpreted as psychotic behaviour and she was diagnosed with schizophrenia. In her late twenties, however, a specialist diagnosed an eating disorder.

  • Background

    Mental health worker, single. Ethnic background/nationality: Asian.

  • Age at interview 31
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Michael - Interview 31

    Michael, 49, describes himself as a European Ashkenazi Jew. He has been given a variety of diagnoses, including bipolar affective disorder, personality disorder, paranoid schizophrenia, learning disability, and severe mental impairment.

  • Background

    Single. Ethnic background/nationality: European Ashkenazi (Jewish) (born in UK).

  • Age at interview 49
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • H. Y. Leung - Interview 29

    HY Leung, 60, was admitted to a London psychiatric hospital. She says her doctors don't understand what she's going through. She feels God accepts and understands her, which supports her to face the challenges of her illnesses and to carry on her life.

  • Background

    Housewife, divorced with 1 adult child. Ethnic background/nationality: Chinese (born in China).

  • Age at interview 60
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Sarah - Interview 28

    Sarah, a married mother of 4, is Chinese and came to the UK from Hong Kong when she got married. She was diagnosed with depression when she was 46. Sarah gets a lot of comfort from her religion - she says she would feel very depressed without it.

  • Background

    Housewife, married with 2 adult children and 2 younger children. Ethnic background/nationality: Chinese (born in China).

  • Age at interview 48
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Jay - Interview 27

    Jay, 42, describes herself as Black-British. She was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder aged 34 and now works in mental health. Jay's voices say mainly negative things, but two voices encourage her and give her tenacity and drive.

  • Background

    Voluntary development coordinator, single with 2 adult children. Ethnic background/nationality: Black-British (born UK).

  • Age at interview 42
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Chapman - Interview 20

    Chapman, 23, describes himself as Black-African and was born in Zimbabwe. He has been in the UK for 7 years and is awaiting the decision of an application for asylum. He was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia at the age of 20.

  • Background

    Single. Ethnic background/nationality: Black-African (born in Zimbabwe); in UK for 7 years.

  • Age at interview 23
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Imani - Interview 26

    Imani, 48, describes herself as African-Caribbean, and was born in the UK. She was diagnosed with depression aged 47 having survived an abusive marriage. Imani is feeling better now she is taking antidepressants and having Christian counselling.

  • Background

    Community development worker, divorced. Ethnic background/nationality: African-Caribbean (UK born).

  • Age at interview 48
  • Sex/Gender Female