Blog

Over the last eleven years, I have been on a journey through mental health services. I’ve supported my partner on her journey, and I have accessed services after I experienced a major breakdown and suicide attempt. Today, I work in mental health services myself,...

I had been a drinker for many years as it was the culture at the time during my 24 years Army service. After having left the army for about 3 years, my drinking got steadily heavier and my self-esteem and moods got worse.  I was having nightmares and would awake at...

I've heard many say that 'no’ is the most difficult word in the English Language to say to someone else. In my experience, the most difficult word in the English Language, especially for a man, is... 'help'. As in... 'I'm a 60 year old male alcoholic suffering from...

Sometimes it’s the little things that can make all the difference in a person’s life. An Advocate from our Portsmouth Advocacy Service tells us more. I’d like to share my experience about the difference Solent Mind’s Advocacy Service can make and the excellent support...

This week marks the second birthday of our Southampton-based Hand in Hand group. Our Peer Support Project Worker and Hand in Hand group leader Jonathan, shares what the group means to him.   This week I’m so excited to celebrate the second birthday of our Hand in Hand...

A movement of like-minded people Solent Mind’s CEO Kevin Gardner reflects on his RED January experience and his plans for 2019. I had no real hesitation when asked if I was signing up for Red January 2019 – it was an enthusiastic ‘Yes!’ from me. I was part of the...

I have a lot of different perspectives on working for Solent Mind: the first is just that it's almost miraculous I'm well enough to do this job, being ‘a bit of a mess’ when I first came into Mind. I’ve been a volunteer at Fareham Wellbeing Centre and a Wellbeing...

Jan Miller has shared a blog she’s written on cyber bullying and the impact on young peoples’ wellbeing, a subject she’s passionate about. She says, “It’s important that we help our children and young people develop the skills they need to withstand bullying and...

It was a real honour for me to be asked to speak on behalf of Solent Mind at the recent launch of the Portsmouth Dementia Action Alliance - a cross community partnership working to make Portsmouth a dementia friendly city. During my first few weeks with Solent Mind I...

On 20th July 2017, Chester Bennington, Frontman of the band, Linkin Park, died after taking his own life. The singer had struggled with substance misuse and poor mental health for years, and had experienced abuse as a child. Despite this, Bennington’s death came as a...

I reached a milestone recently in my role here as Chief Executive of Solent Mind – the completion of my first 100 days. At points like this I think it’s good to take stock, consider what I have learned and what I have achieved. I thought I would share some of my...

Welcome to the first post on my new blog! Firstly, let me say how great it feels to have joined Solent Mind as the new Chief Executive. Since my appointment in November, I have been struck by the number of people who have told me of the contact they have had with our...

Someone asked me recently how mental health services had changed over the last 20 years, my tenure as CEO of Solent Mind. Though loathe to admit it, I go back even longer in mental health. 33 years ago I was working in supported housing. We were closing down the old...

Join us at the Portsmouth wellbeing Centre’s Swap Shop on Saturday 18th March from 10:30am to 3pm. Bring your unwanted clothes, shoes, accessories, books, CDs, DVDs, toiletries and small bric-a-brac items. Swap your unwanted items for wanted ones and help us raise...