Hi, I'm John Junior

I’m a mental health campaigner, mental health first aider and Founder of John and Charlie’s Journey, and I am studying psychotherapy at University.

My work is rooted in lived experience.

I have lived with depression since I was 14 years old. At different points in my life, I turned to unhealthy ways of coping with what I was experiencing, including alcohol, binge eating, drugs and self-harm. I know what it feels like to struggle, hide what you’re going through, and look for ways to escape how you feel.

I used to tell people I was fine. But I was dying inside. My whole world was falling apart, and nobody could see that. 

I became a professional at wearing a mask.

I have experienced suicide attempts, had suicidal thoughts, and survived some of the darkest periods of my life. Today, instead of hiding those experiences, I use them to help others.

Being born intersex has also shaped who I am. At the age of 8, I told my mum I wanted to be a girl. I was diagnosed with Klinefelter syndrome at 11 years old, it's extremely rare to be diagnosed at that age. I understand what it is like to experience judgement, stigma and a lack of understanding simply for being who you are.  That is why intersex awareness has become another important part of my activism.

I speak openly about my experiences because lived experience has the power to create change. Sharing our struggles can help someone else feel heard, it can save a life and help others recognise that they are not alone and give them the confidence to reach out for support.