In this episode Helen chats to an inspirational, energetic and passionate advocate, speaker and campaigner for Father’s Mental Health; Mark Williams.

​Mark developed post-natal depression following the traumatic birth of his son 13 years ago – a diagnosis he attempted to hide and self manage and that went unrecognised for some time.  Finally, Mark received treatment for his mental health and at the age of 40 years of age was also given a diagnosis of ADHD. 

Following Mark’s experience he came to realise how little screening or support there was for father’s or other family members involved following the birth of a child so he set up an organisation called Father’s Reaching Out to provide a support network for other fathers.   This work quickly took off and Mark went on to do much more work in this field.

Mark has written about Fathers' mental health in several publications and has appeared on BBC Breakfast, ITV NEWS, Good Morning Britain and Channel 5. His story has been told in USA, Australia New Zealand, Canada, Africa, Asia. He has also appeared in television documentaries concerning mental health including Channel 5's My Secret Past on Postnatal Depression with Jennifer Ellison.

​To date, Mark has spoken around the World at over 150 conferences and events

Mark has also set up many projects and organisations including Fathers Reaching Out and Dads Matter UK and now works as a consultant to help other organisations build better Men's Mental Health groups.

​Marks is the Founder of International Father’s Mental Health Day and won the Local Hero Award at the Pride of Britain Awards and Inspirational Father of the Year in 2012.  In 2016 he was chosen to meet the Royal Family on World’s Mental Health Day.

​In the conversation Mark speaks openly and honestly about his experiences -from growing up with undiagnosed ADHD, to the events surrounding the birth of his son and supporting his wife with post-natal depression; moving on to discuss his own experience with depression and mental ill health, reflecting then on why he was driven to do the work he does now and why this work is so important.

​http://www.reachingoutpmh.co.uk/

​Twitter:  @MarkWilliamsFMH