Mark Williams grew up being told he was “thick and stupid”. He knew he wasn’t, but he did suffer from anxiety and dyslexia, which looked like panic attacks and learning problems. So, school was hard and employment was too. Fast forward, he eventually married the love of his life and together they had a baby. But what came next turned their lives upside down.
After a traumatic birth, his wife suffered postpartum depression. Soon afterwards, Mark too plunged into despair. Finally though, after seeing many doctors, at age 41, he got his diagnosis. Mark has ADHD. And with treatment came a new outlook on life and a new passion to help others who suffer just as he did.
Mark’s Awesome Quote:
“Fight! Fight for yourself
and get the right diagnosis.”
Father’s Mental Health
I applaud Mark’s efforts in helping to create International Father’s Mental Health Day in the UK. in order to help raise awareness on men’s mental health, specifically father’s issues. My own dad fell victim to his bi-polar depression after going off his medication, committing suicide in 1987. His was the worst possible outcome.
All dads suffer a special mix of stress because of the interrelationships that come with family. But when their biological make up includes any disease or disorder, that compounds the stress. As we increase awareness and access to mental health services, the potential for successful outcomes like Mark’s aren’t just possible, they’re probable. And after all, our dads and families deserve that!
Mark Williams does all he can to focus on fathers’ mental health issues. He even created Father’s Reaching Out, when he saw first hand, the need for support for men who experience postpartum depression. He explains it’s like giving permission to open up as a father. Please be sure to check out his website, Reaching Out, below or Tweet him!
~ Jennie
Access Mark: Twitter @adadwithadhd @MarkWilliamsROW
