Jay's story

29 year old Jay came to James’ Place Newcastle in May 2025 after a relationship breakdown and job worries drove him to make an attempt on his life.

“I was in a bad way when I came to James’ Place as it felt like everything I had been working for had disappeared overnight. I felt worthless and useless. I just couldn’t see a way forward or any point in continuing and tried to take my life. In the hospital afterwards I felt quite dismissed and no-one really seemed to know what to do with me, then a mental health nurse told me about James’ Place. I wasn’t expecting much to be honest, I’ve had therapy before and it always felt quite generic, but this was totally different.

First of all they got me in within 24 hours. As soon as I came into the building I just felt relaxed and comfortable, like I was meant to be there. The quality of the therapy I received was incredible, it was like my therapist Andrew got me immediately and based the therapy around me personally. If I struggled to express things it was like he knew what I was thinking without me needed to say it. I got such a deeper understanding of myself, why I think and feel certain things, and I learnt tools to stop myself from spiralling into negative thoughts. Andrew helped me understand it was ok to feel the way I was feeling, and not to be so hard on myself, to treat myself with compassion.

I came to realise that it wasn’t the end, I am young, I have so much more to give other people and I deserve good things to happen to me. I’m learning how to be vulnerable with others and to be nicer to myself. Going to James’ Place has made a huge difference to my life.”

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