"My mental illnesses have developed through my experience of childhood trauma, abuse and the things I did to cope with my reality; to forget, to escape I reached for anything I could to take the pain away. I've been on a very long arduous journey to get to where I am. I've battled with addictions, self harm, suicidal ideation and lots of well meaning but very unhelpful and potentially damaging 'professionals'. I have learnt a lot about myself but there is still a long way to go"