Meet The Lad Behind A Groundbreaking Journal That's Helping Men With Mental Health Issues

Meet the guy who is dedicating all of his time to helping others with mental health issues.

When he was growing up Ollie Aplin, 29, from Hastings, experienced first hand just how destructive mental illness can be.

"My mum had bipolar disorder, although she wasn't properly diagnosed with it until it was too late.

"Bipolar is probably the cruelest mental health disorder because it can turn the most amazing person in the world into someone you hardly recognise.

"In the end I witnessed seven suicide attempts by my mum, until she booted me out of the house so I could no longer save her," Ollie told us.

Following this, his mother took her own life. Ollie soon had his own mental health struggles. Like many who are reluctant to get help, he wrongly self-medicated with drugs and booze and ended up overdosing at a friend's party.

"A mental breakdown caused me to go a seek professional help, something I'd always been wary of, just because I'd been raised by mum not to speak about issues at home.

"I was recommended a private therapist who offered me counselling at a cheaper price. From there I learned that talking, sharing and writing really does help."

Ollie found writing to be particularly cathartic. His dedication to keeping a diary ultimately sparked the idea for Mind Journal. It could serve as a tool to give guys a chance to get all of their feelings and emotions out onto paper, instead of keeping them cooped up inside their head.

The Mind Journal is not just a standard journal, it's full of carefully selected questions that can lead to profound outcomes. It's a book that can help all young men deal with the modern situations they face.

"I'm not into yoga, I can't mediate. I like the gym. I chat crap at the barbers, and I keep a journal.

"That's what I want every guy to feel comfortable saying and doing. If I can achieve that, then mission accomplished."

Over £30,000 has already been raised on Kickstarter for the project.

The helpline and web chat service are open 5pm to midnight, every day of the year.

NATIONWIDE: 0800 58 58 58

LONDON: 0808 802 58

Alternatively, you can contact Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90 or the free phone phone number is 116 123.