This is Patrick’s story.

Patrick* is 50-years-old and has struggled with his mental health for several years. He’s experienced problems with substance misuse, bereavement, sexuality, identity and self-harm.

He first called Guide-Line around eight years ago and this was the first step in turning his life around. He became a regular caller, with Guide-Line workers encouraging him to explore aspects of self-care, giving him guidance and coping techniques for self-harm, and supporting him with self-acceptance and understanding of his sexuality as a bisexual, Catholic man.

You have helped more than you can ever imagine.

He also sometimes shares his poems to express his feelings, which helps him cope with stress and anxiety, and Guide-Line gives him the space to use this therapeutic approach.

On a recent call to Guide-Line, Patrick spoke about his gratitude to Guide-Line for supporting him over the years and described that although he has had many challenges in life, Guide-Line has been there for him and has helped him through the hard times.

Seven or eight years I hadn’t come out of the closet, I was using hard drugs, it was getting worse and you help me understand my sexuality and accept myself for who I am; a bisexual Catholic man. My drug use was partly due to not coming out of the closet and Guide-Line helped me with this and understanding myself.

Patrick now goes for long periods drug-free and no longer self-harms at all. His goal is now to get healthier and stronger as he wants to attend Pride this year and get into a relationship. He knows he can still call Guide-Line for support as and when needed.

*name has been changed to protect confidentiality.