Psychotherapist offering free mental health support to those struggling during pandemic
A psychotherapist who suffered with anxiety and depression is helping those struggling with their mental health.
Stephen and his wife Claire Boylan
This week (Monday 1 February-Sunday 7 February) marks Children's Mental Health Awareness week.
The theme of the week is 'express yourself' and it aims to encourage children to show their feelings through any medium - whether that be dance, poetry, or just writing their emotions down.
It reminds everybody to take care of their mental health, as well as their physical health.
A psychotherapist, who previously suffered with anxiety and depression, is offering a free programme to help anybody suffering during the coronavirus lockdown.
Stephen Boylan, CEO and founder of Clear Minds Talking Therapies, wants to 'do his bit' to support those in the community at a difficult time.
All children can also a free discovery session, and free access to a children’s wellbeing programme, to help them to deal with anxiety, stress and low mood.
Stephen, who grew up in Thatto Heath, St Helens, Merseyside, has shared his own personal story in an effort to inspire and motivate others.
When he suffered personal loss, he turned to alcohol and drugs, which caused him to suffer with poor mental health.
He said: "For me it started when I was 14, my mum passed away and not long after I got involved in misusing drugs and alcohol and soon became struggling with depression and anxiety.
"In 2005 I turned my life around and started to deal with my problems. I gained a qualification as a youth worker at the local authority and started to study as a counsellor and went on to specialise in cognitive behavioural therapy.
"With the way everything is at the moment with Covid it's obviously impacted on people's mental health and wellbeing.
"I want to put the course out there for free so that people can get support, even if they can't afford it, or are waiting too long for support on the NHS.
"That's my mission, to help people. If people can see that other people have been through it, it helps other people to open up, especially men. Seeing other men who have been there, that will definitely motivate people to want to as well."
Stephen is also running a Crowdfunder where people can donate. All people that make a £20 donation will get free access to the wellbeing programme. All businesses that make a £1000 donation will get free access to the online wellbeing in the workplace programme for all their employees.
