I’m Alistair, I’m 22 and I go to the Cedar Court [Huddersfield] group.

I’m a builder by trade, and hobby-wise, I’m very much into my music; I play guitar and I also do a lot of sports and outdoor activities.

In August 2019 I attempted suicide for the second time.

It was from that point on that I started seeing the councillor again for trauma therapy. It was my mum who persuaded me to go to AMC. I was absolutely terrified to begin with. She told me about it but I didn’t think it was at all for me. Luckily, I had a really good friend who offered to come with me at first; just for a bit of support so I wasn’t on my own. He stuck it out for about three months, until I felt comfortable and started making some friends.

AMC is always going to be the best thing I’ve done. I’ve done other therapies, but AMC is always going to be in the lead. I’m a very outgoing, social person and it’s a room full of blokes all going through the same stuff. So, for me, being in that environment with other people who’re struggling – with similar stories as to how they’ve coped in the past – it’s the most settling thing for me. It’s good to feel like I’m not battling these things on my own.

I was always that stubborn one that didn’t face up to things or admit that I was struggling at the time. I tried to hide it from as many people as I could. Since joining, I can talk to absolutely anybody about my struggles now. It’s really opened the door to me being able to speak about it comfortably.

A few weeks ago, I’d gone through another rough patch. Luckily, I’d spoken to some of the guys so I’d not done anything daft. The following day I got about four phone-calls offering support or the opportunity to get out for a walk. Just that immediate outreach. That really kicked me in the arse as to what AMC does.

There’s new lads come through the door every session and within weeks you’re messaging and chatting outside of group and keeping up with them. I’d just love to still have that.