by Mark Simmonds
New book Breakdown and Repair (by Trigger publishing – a publisher dedicated to mental health) is a brutally honest retelling of one man’s breakdown in 2001. Starting up a business and increasing career pressure meant Mark Simmonds was unable to work for four months, suffered a nervous breakdown and carried out a suicide attempt.
Men under 45 have the highest suicide rate in the UK, and unfortunately, Mark’s story is one of many. However his story is unique because every detail is left in – the guilt and shame he felt for being unable to work, his withdrawal from family life, and how his breakdown helped him to assist his teenage daughter through an anorexia battle.
As well as being an exciting ride, starting a business can be an extremely stressful experience for entrepreneurs, so as well as working to break down mental health stigma, the book offers brilliant advice for managing business stress – including taking time off when you need it, choosing the right people to go into business with, and not feeling ashamed to come out of the ‘mental health closet’. Invaluable advice for both personal and start-up life.
Breakdown and Repair: A Father’s Tale of Stress and Success is out now, published by Trigger, priced £11.99
