Taking inspiration from those who walked before us: There's no shame.

They say never meet your heroes. I don't believe it. When making a big decision, such as whether to come out to the world with something as deep and personal as a mental health diagnosis, meeting someone who's walked that path, been there, done it and is proud of it makes the decision so much easier.

A few weeks ago I was at the launch of the End Stigma Surrey campaign. On running order to speak at the event was Sefik Villasante and I was very excited about the possibility to meet and chat with him.

I'd previously read his book, There's No Shame, and had been inspired by is story of recovery and by the way he'd taken the bold move to quit the rat race and devote his life to a mission of improving mental health awareness and helping others as a speaker, facilitator, a writer and coach.

On stage, I watched as he described his persona as a 'gameshow host'. He was positive, energetic and confident. It was evident he felt no shame in sharing his story of how he'd survived not one but two suicide attempts. He clearly has a guardian angel. This is what we need more of, to break the stigma and get people talking. Yes, the issues are serious, but it's not all doom and gloom and we must always focus on the brighter side. Getting through it, recovery and living better lives. And just as my mental health episodes had been a catalyst for change in my life, it became clear that the same was true for Sefik.

Upon meeting him I was struck by his warmth and empathy and that even though we'd only just met we found a huge amount in common in a very short conversation. I opened up to Sefik about my desire to get my story out there and I shared my fears with him. His response was powerful and inspiring.

The only thing that will ever hold you back, Chris, will be you. don't ever put any obstacles in your way as because you're putting down limitations on yourself.

Other people's opinions on you don't matter, Chris. The only opinion that ever matters is your own. So park the bus on worrying on what other people might think and how it comes across. Don't give a stuff about anyone else's opinion because nobody knows you story better than you and no-one will know the story as well as you.
-- Sefik Villasante

These words had a profound impact on me. And it's true: having to keep my condition a secret is preventing me from showing up as my true authentic self in everyday life. At home, with my friends and with my colleagues. Far from this secret protecting me, I feel it's actually strangling me and holding me back from being everything I can be. This website is the product of that conversation.

Of course, there will be people who say this is the wrong decision I'm sure, as will there be people who'll be only too quick to apply some derogatory ill informed label, but as Sefik says, I need to stop caring about them. I need instead to focus on the people who will respect my story, be able to learn from it and find strength for their own lives. These people, to me, have to be more important than any one else.

If Stephen Fry can do it, Robbie Williams can do it, George Ezra can do it. If Roman Kemp can do it, Dr Alex George can do it, Josh Cuthbert can do it. Then I can do it.

 At last, this is my story, in my own words, in the way that I want to tell it.