A Paisley man who has turned his life around following two suicide attempts says he is now determined to help others overcome crippling mental health problems.
Martin Park endured a 13-year battle with depression and anxiety before discovering the healing affects of Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP).
The 46-year-old credits the personal development approach with giving him his life back and has recently trained to become an NLP practitioner in a bid to support others.
Martin, a carer at Kyle Court Care Home, has shared his story as part of his efforts to support other people in crisis this Mental Health Awareness Week.
He told the Paisley Daily Express: “This Mental Health Awareness Week I am really trying to get the message out there that things can get better, don’t suffer in silence.
“However bad things seem, there is help out there.”
Martin first began experiencing mental health problems in 2005 when his life crashed around him in a collision of despairing circumstances.
All within a short space of time he was made redundant, lost his beloved grandmother and was told he and his wife would not have biological children.
Struggling with the magnitude of the challenges in his life, he was diagnosed with depression and anxiety.
“My mental health went into major decline,” he said. “I bottled everything up inside. I didn’t speak to anyone, not even my wife knew how bad things had become.
“I had several suicide attempts and I always say that someone must have been looking over me as none of them were successful.
“I had stays in Leverndale Hospital. I was at my lowest point.” Receiving medical support, Martin started to recover and in 2009, he and his wife Christine adopted their eldest son Matty, with Taylor following in 2013.
Despite the absolute joy of welcoming new children to their family, Martin’s demons returned and his mental health plummeted for a second time.
However, a chance meeting with a fellow parent at his son’s football match proved to be Martin’s ultimate saviour as he introduced him to NLP.
“It was a miracle meeting Paul Elliott that day. After a few sessions with him I have never looked back,” he said. “NLP is like cognitive behavioural therapy but it focuses on the conscious and unconscious mind. The neuro element refers to the idea of thinking positively from the inside out – how you think about yourself and the world around you.
“The linguistics is about the language we use to talk about ourselves and others and the programming is how we align ourselves with the two.
“Some of the counselling I have had in the past didn’t really resonate with me but this just suited me so much better.”
The approach has had such a profound impact on Martin that he embarked on his own training to become a fully-qualified NLP practitioner and has completed a mental health first aid course.
In May 2022, he has used his new qualifications and lived experience to launch his own business, NLP with Parky.
He added: “I am trying to make a success of life by helping others and I think my lived experience of mental health puts me in good stead to help other people.
“Going from rock bottom to where I am today, it’s fantastic the journey I have been on.
“The moral of my story is that no matter how bad things seem, there is always hope and a light at the end of the tunnel and don’t be scared to reach out, someone is there to help.”
Running from May 15 to May 23, this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week aimed to raise awareness of anxiety, what causes it and how to prevent it.
For more information on NLP with Parky see his Facebook page or call 07525 245884.
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