This Too Will Pass

Richard Martin is a father of three mostly grown up children. He spent 20 years as a city employment lawyer and therefore understands the pressures of professional life, as well as the problems it can cause. In 2011 he suffered a series of panic attacks followed by depression and anxiety problems which led to him being hospitalised and spending two years off work recovering. Richard now works with employers in the city and elsewhere, raising awareness of mental health and wellbeing across organisations, training mental health first aiders, and training managers to recognise the warning signs of developing problems, walk towards them and engage in meaningful and appropriate conversations. He sits on the steering committee of the Lord Mayor of London's This is Me campaign which uses personal storytelling to break the stigma around mental illness. He is a qualified coach, lives in Wimbledon, London, has a passion for the French countryside, and spends as much of his time as he can outside, often on his bike.

What happens when your world falls apart? How do you start again?

By all markers, Richard’s life was a success: he was happily married, a great father, and lived a fulfilling life, professionally and personally. But the pressures of a highflying legal career, his increasing social commitments, and family illness all took their toll. One evening, Richard stopped on his way home to use a cash point machine, and couldn’t remember how to use it. He sunk to the pavement, unable to hold back the tears, unable to carry on …

Richard pulls no punches in describing his breakdown and the crushing social anxiety that left him scared to even answer the front door. As his life crumbled around him, Richard fought hard to get to grips with the mental illness taking over his life.

This is his inspirational story …