Ramesh's story

“I came to James’ Place earlier this year when I needed serious help. I had just come out, which led to abuse from some of my family and community. I was also going through a difficult divorce and a challenging situation at work. It all led to me becoming overwhelmed and not able to cope. I had done research into how to end my life, made a plan, and had written letters to my mother, brother and children. I’d made a document with all my passwords in for them. I was ready to do it, but something made me pick up the phone and call my brother to tell him what I was going to do.

He kept me on the phone for over an hour whilst he drove to me and took me to the GP.  For the next couple of weeks my mother and brother had me on suicide watch, they wouldn’t leave me on my own whilst we struggled to find somewhere that could help me.

Eventually I found out about James’ Place from another organisation. I looked online and I thought immediately – this is the place that’s going to help me.  I knew I needed to fix myself and I had nothing to lose. When I first arrived it was so discreet, so peaceful inside and there were real human connections I formed with the people that worked there. I had quite a short period of therapy from James’ Place but I found it so helpful, I learnt how to recognise warning signs in myself, I learn coping mechanisms that worked for me. I was asked honest questions that made me really think about where some of my thoughts were coming from.

My therapist was non-judgmental, caring, and professional. It’s helped me to really change how I look at life. I am much more able to look at the positives now, my anxiety has greatly reduced, and I remove myself from situations and people that make me unhappy. My circle has become smaller because I don’t need validation from others. It feels like the beginning of a new life. I have no doubt that if I hadn’t found James’ Place I wouldn’t be here now. They helped me get on a better path.”

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