Here, you can find any of the interviews on this site.
When Graham went to university he felt very sad and eventually tried to kill himself. He was subsequently admitted to hospital after an overdose. Later he got married and his life was 'transformed', but he became ill again after the birth of his son. He now works for the Highland User Group and lives by the sea.
Graham works for ‘HUG’ (Highland User Group), is separated, and has a son. Ethnic Background’ White British.
David feels like he has been involved with mental health services his whole life, and started self-harming aged 14. After being discharged from the army for self-harm, he 'lost his way' and eventually went to prison. Now he is training to be a support worker, has done a degree in applied psychology, and found CBT useful.
David does volunteer work, and is single with no children. Ethnic background’ White British.
Rachel didn't have contact with mental health services until she was 19. Since then she has been to hospital 7 times but now has a direct payments support worker and is monitored more regularly. She now does voluntary work, looks after her son, lives independently and has done an art course.
Rachel does voluntary work, is single and has one son who is 7. Ethnic Background’ White British.
Tim was first unwell when he was 19 and has been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. He has been on Depixol injections for many years, and believes acceptance of his diagnosis, the love of his mother, and religion have all helped him lead a happier life.
Tim is unemployed, single and has no children. Ethnic background’ White British.
John grew up in care homes and found it 'quite tough'. He had his first breakdown in his early 20s, and has had several admissions to hospital. He went to university but didn't complete the course due to an episode of ill-health, and is due to go back to work soon. He has had support from good friends and from his Christian faith.
John is a support worker, is single and has no children. Ethnic background’ White Scottish.
Gary had a 'very disturbed childhood' and was bullied. In his 20s he 'knew something was wrong' but 'couldn't describe it'. He has had many different diagnoses and has been sectioned '3' times. Now he volunteers for a user organisation, has done a course in aromatherapy, and tries to stay well.
Gary is a volunteer, is single and has no children. Ethnic background’ White Scottish.
Lorenz is a 50-year-old Black Afro-Caribbean man who has been in the UK since 1966. He was diagnosed with schizophrenia aged 20 and this is now controlled by the anti-psychotic Aripiprazole (10mg daily) enabling Lorenz to work as a social care assistant.
Social care assistant, married with adult children. Ethnic background/nationality: Black Afro-Caribbean (born in West Indies); in UK for 41 years
In 2001 Ceridwen was diagnosed with schizophrenia. Having previously being sectioned and having spent time in an in-patient hospital, Ceridwen now lives with her brother and hopes soon to live independently with support from her family. Ceridwen does volunteer work and attends college.
Ceridwen is unemployed/disabled, single, and hoping soon to live independently. Ethnic background/nationality: White British.
Margaret lost her mother at 14, and started hearing voices at 20. She had a serious suicide attempt and was sectioned. She had a year out of college and has worked ever since. She now takes a low dose of sulpiride and has been supported by optimistic friends.
Margaret is a therapist, single and has no children. Ethnic background’ White British.
Simon heard voices when he was at university, and didn't know he was ill. Eventually he went to see a psychiatrist and went to hospital. He got a grant and did architecture. Now he is involved with the service user movement and does sculpture.
Simon studied architecture, took medical retirement, lives by himself and has no children. Ethnic background’ White British.
