Sources of Inspiration

As the owner of Sirius Project, I feel it is time for me to get my story out there and show that people can recover from self-harm and depression.

I was diagnosed with depression in 2002 during my final year at uni. Shortly after this, I started cutting myself. By 2003 I was too ill to work and claiming benefits. My GP said depression and self-harm were just part of my personality, and I would never recover. I'd had a few sessions of group therapy on the NHS and was told I "shouldn't need" any more. My GP wouldn't change my medication, and my local mental health trust felt I wouldn't benefit from seeing a psychiatrist. They actually said it would make me worse! I had lost most of my friends who couldn't cope with my depressed behaviour, and felt alone and isolated. The future looked very bleak for me.

Six years on, I've completely recovered. I've been free of depression for over two years and haven't self-harmed in nearly five. I lead a busy life, working, studying for a master's, singing in a choir and of course running Sirius. Even better, the social anxiety and low self-esteem which plagued me before I became ill with depression have more or less gone. I feel like a new person.

I'm in the process of writing my story for the website, and I hope that other members will join me. If you've recovered from self-harm or made significant progress and would like to submit your story, please .

In the meantime, the following links offer some sources of hope:

Stories of Hope
From self-injurers who have found some form of hope in dealing with their difficulties.

Begin Your Recovery
Starting your recovery journey.

Recovery Stories
Find inspiring biographies in the Sirius Project bookstore.