Recovery Stories

Real stories from real people. Recovery is possible - these voices prove it.

Chris's Story: Finding My Way Back from Depression

By Chris (via NHS / Mind)

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Chris struggled with his mental health and attempted suicide. He found support from local services and slowly rebuilt his life.

Watch story

Mind / NHS

Addiction

Three Years Sober: Finding My Way Home

By Jamie L.

Addiction took everything from me. Recovery, through a UK treatment programme, gave me back something better — a life I actually want to live.

Read story

UKAT

PTSD

Karen's Story

By Karen

After experiencing significant traumas, including being forced into care at the age of four, Karen faced severe mental health challenges. Diagnosed with severe anxiety disorder, depression, OCD, and PTSD, she found hope through Rethink Mental Illness's Plymouth Mental Health Service, leading to a transformative journey towards recovery.

Read story

Rethink Mental Illness

PTSD

Maria's Story

By Maria

After witnessing a traumatic event, Maria faced a psychotic episode and was hospitalized. Diagnosed with PTSD and bipolar disorder, she navigated a challenging recovery journey, finding strength in daily victories and support from mental health services.

Read story

Rethink Mental Illness

PTSD

Sam's Story

By Sam

After a traumatic incident in Afghanistan, Army veteran Sam developed PTSD. Years later, he sought help from Combat Stress, leading to life-changing treatment and a renewed sense of purpose.

Read story

Combat Stress

General

From Psychosis to Purpose: Alika's Story

By Alika

The year I turned 21, grief, heartbreak, stolen savings and the loss of two friends all hit at once. I had no idea what psychosis was — until I was going through it. Today I'm a mental health campaigner and father, and I want others to know help is out there.

Read story

Rethink Mental Illness

Depression

Healing Is Possible – Sara's Story

By Sara (via Rethink Mental Illness)

Living with depression felt like losing myself in a fog where joy seemed distant. Through CAMHS, therapy and daily self-care, Sara found her way back.

Read story

Rethink Mental Illness

Anxiety

Paul's Recovery: Life Challenges, Depression and Anxiety

By Paul (via Priory Group)

A number of stressful life events led Paul into depression and anxiety. Watch his inspirational story of recovery and finding support.

Watch story

Priory Group

Anxiety

Health Anxiety and the Power of Understanding – Izzy's Story

By Izzy (via Rethink Mental Illness)

I became convinced I had a serious terminal illness. Learning about health anxiety and returning to art gave me the peace to move forward.

Read story

Rethink Mental Illness

Eating Disorder

Anorexia nervosa is a silent killer - Anjola's story

By Anjola

Anjola shares her journey of navigating eating disorder recovery amidst societal pressures and personal challenges.

Read story

Rethink Mental Illness

Grief

Bereavement turned my life into a blur

By Amy

Amy shares her experience of coping with the loss of her husband and the impact of grief on her mental health.

Read story

Mind

General

Recovery Is a Long Winding Road

By John

After a suicide attempt and a diagnosis of EUPD and psychosis, John discovered that recovery isn't a straight road — and that sharing his story became one of his most powerful tools for healing.

Read story

Rethink Mental Illness

General

My experience with psychosis

By Alfy

A bright student's journey through psychosis to recovery, now writing a novel and co-founding a social enterprise.

Read story

HopeFox submission

General

Psychosis Is Like a Foreign Country

By Tom

From 19 to 23, I was sectioned three times. I spent a Christmas in hospital and a birthday. I labelled myself 'the guy who'd been sectioned', as if I was tarnished. Five years on, I'm training to be a mental health nurse.

Read story

Rethink Mental Illness

Addiction

Finding Recovery After Alcohol Addiction

By Richard

I developed an increasingly chronic alcohol addiction over five years, fuelled by grief and family crisis. It took an intervention from my wife and a friend during lockdown for me to finally make the call that changed my life.

Read story

UKAT

Depression

My Struggle with Speaking Up About Depression and Loneliness

By Gabi (via Mental Health Foundation)

My experience of loneliness spiralled into depression. Looking back, I can see how talking to people helped my recovery.

Read story

Mental Health Foundation

General

Psychosis: My Recovery Journey

By Ashley

I remember the day I believed I was going to die. Voices told me I was in another world and the people there wanted to kill me. It was only in hospital — and through the quiet compassion of a single staff member — that I began to heal.

Read story

Mind

Eating Disorder

My body is my home - Molly's story

By Molly

Molly shares her experience of recovering from an eating disorder, emphasizing the importance of self-love and body positivity.

Read story

Rethink Mental Illness