I have struggled with depression and anxiety (mainly depression) for most of my life. During my teen years I started drinking a lot and doing lots of drugs (mainly weed) to try and avoid the intense feelings and emotions I had at the time. I felt confused, lost and depressed. Over 5 years ago (2019), I got arrested for drink driving in Liverpool which was a big turning point for me. I had to accept the consequences of losing my licence and job at the time which relied on me having a license. I chose to come clean with my family with my situation, and decided I didn't want to continue down the path I was heading down as I was miserable and knew it would only get worse. I then chose to go back to my counsellor I had been seeing previously and give it another go, to help me get back on my feet. My journey was by no means over there, I am far from where I was then but my healing/development journey is evergoing. It has not been a linear journey since then either, I still have my ups and downs and still struggle with what life throws at me, but who doesn't. My experiences and growth over the years allow me to be vulnerable and empathetic with others struggling with mental health as I have been in that position myself many times. In my work, I focus on spreading compassion, positivity and empathy, as these are things I have needed most and have slowly implemented along my journey.