What past life experiences, physical traumas or genetics do you believe have had an effect on your mental health?
My career and intimate relationships have negatively affected my mental health in the last couple of years. I effectively lost my best friend and sporting career on the same day and I took it all really personally.

How did the effects on your mental health appear in terms of symptoms?
I felt incredibly sad and frustrated. I started getting anxiety attacks, I felt depressed at times and I got quite skinny and didn’t care for my physical health that much. I remember being on a plane home from a holiday a few months after and we got some really bad turbulence which would usually raise a pulse – but I was in a state of mind that if that plane had dived out of the sky it wouldn’t have mattered, which is pretty scary to feel in itself.

When and why did you decide to ask for help to get relief?
I spoke to friends about my “headspace” fairly often because I knew it was the best way to fight what I was feeling. I then started seeing a hypnotherapist and doing meditation which really helped me discover some of the reasons behind my breakdown of sorts. Even a couple of years on though, I’m still trying to find more answers inside why it all affected me so much.

What methods helped you individually get/feel better?
I talked about it a lot with family and close friends. I saw a hypnotherapist and started meditating. These things were luckily enough for me. I knew I had to embrace these activities for them to be useful and I just did that.

Why did you decide to go public with your story? Who were/are you hoping to help and how?
I’m really just trying to help anyone who has felt the same way that I have. I wouldn’t wish the way I felt on my worst enemy. What I realise is that the only way out of it is to talk to people about it, which is why we’re encouraging others to tell their #SameHere story, and to seek help in whatever form seems to work.

How did people react when you went public with your story?
Everyone knew that I was in a pretty low place and family and friends got around me a lot. It is great to know you can pick up the phone and talk to people who are supportive – whoever they might be, because it can drag you out of a hole.