Christopher Thomas: battling anxiety and depression

77% of men have lived with a mental health condition. Only 40% ever talk to anyone about it. This is Christopher’s story. A project principal who has managed over 20 sites and looked after dozens of colleagues

I didn’t plan to take my own life. But that day it was fortunate I decided to take that route, stop the car in the field, and breakdown. If that didn’t happen, I potentially wouldn’t be here speaking to you.

Things got tough a few years ago. I was leading a project that kept hitting barriers, I found myself in the midst of a separation and couldn’t see my children regularly. My closest friend for 30 years died from cancer. I couldn’t catch my breath and I withdrew.

In a professional environment I was fine. I was talking normally and smiling. As soon as I shut that door and I came back into my car, at home, I was a different animal. I didn’t talk about it. I felt like a failure.

This is Christopher’s story about reaching the depths of despair and rising up again…