Dad who was suicidal says Pathways can help anyone turn their life around

Marti Wilde has lived with depression and anxiety since he was young and turned to substance abuse to help deal with his demons.

In a bid to help others recognise symptoms of depression, Marti has shared his experience of mental illness.

He said: “I began isolating myself and spent all of my time on my own.

“I wouldn’t open the curtains and just didn’t want to be around people or ask anyone for help.

“I stopped eating, my whole outlook on life was so negative as I didn’t think my life was ever going to go anywhere.

“I masked my depression with drugs and alcohol and that became a massive problem.”

After ‘hitting rock bottom’ and getting into trouble with the police, the probation service asked Marti to attend Pathways in Warrington town centre to start a recovery plan.

Marti believes his run in with the police ‘needed to happen’ to lead him to Pathways as he fears he would have died without their input.

He attended Pathways every day and went to as many support groups as he could fit in.

Marti Wilde, from Orford, shares his experience of depression on World Mental Health Day

He said: “I noticed what a difference it was making to my life in just a few weeks. I thought, ‘this is actually working for me, I need to start taking it more seriously’.

“Three years down the line, with a few slips, I have turned my life around.”

Despite visiting his GP several times, Marti says he was ‘fobbed off’ with tablets which didn’t improve his illness.

He said: “I started drinking to cope with the issues and became suicidal. I asked people for help, but no one really believed what I was going through.

“It drove me insane and I started taking drugs recreationally to self-medicate.”

Before being referred to Pathways, Marti was admitted to Warrington Hospital and describes himself as being ‘on death’s door’.

Due to his excessive drinking, his liver began to fail and staff were unsure whether he would pull through.

The former MMA fighter said this physical setback was one of his lowest points but three years on, he feels ‘reborn’ both mentally and physically.

He added: “I don’t feel my life has any limits, there isn’t anything I can’t do.

“You can achieve anything you put your mind to.

“I just hope others read this and know they can turn their lives around, there is hope for everyone.”

Marti says he looks up to the people at Pathways who ‘saved his life’ and is starting to train as a peer mentor at the organisation.

He said: “Some of the people I have met at Pathways are the most beautiful people I’ve ever come across and will be friends of mine for life.

“They have all been in the same situation as me, it is great to be around like-minded people who understand what you are going through as often you feel like you are on your own.”

Marti is continuing to train for charity boxing events such as Punching for Papyrus at Optimum Fitness gym and also attends Pathways’ recovery Allstars football team.

Speaking about how you're feeling when you're struggling could save your life.

If you're having a tough time, please reach out to someone you trust or one of the volunteers at Samaritans, who are here for you round the clock, on 116 123 or by emailing jo@samaritans.org