Matt Johnson: Iselder a fi


Matt Johnson: Iselder a fi

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-I booked a last-minute trip

-in December 2009.

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-A cheap flight to Spain

-where my parents have a flat.

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-I wanted to go somewhere -

-to escape.

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-To everyone around me,

-my life was perfect.

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-But to me, it wasn't.

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-Inside...

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-Inside, I was numb.

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-When Matt shared what he did on that

-awful day in Spain on the balcony...

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-..it was completely

-unbelievable to me...

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-..that someone

-could reach such a place.

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-I was in a very dark place.

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-It felt

-like everything was against me...

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-..and the world

-would be better without me.

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-When we learnt we were

-to interview Matt on This Morning...

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-..about his mental illness,

-his depression...

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-..I knew nothing about it.

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-I felt...

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-I felt I had let him down,

-because I had no idea.

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-At the time,

-that dark time in Matt's life...

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-..we were best friends

-and spent a lot of time together.

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-We talked about everything,

-and I'm angry with myself...

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-..for not realizing that it was

-as serious as depression.

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-Matt Johnson is a familiar face

-throughout Britain...

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-..who's presented

-some of our most popular programmes.

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-As well as being a stalwart of

-the ITV daily show This Morning...

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-..Matt's also been one of the faces

-of S4C's Welsh learners programming.

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-The warm and likeable character from

-Caerphilly is loved by thousands.

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-A night out in Cardiff with Matt

-can be nuts.

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-There's no other way to describe it.

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-Matt is a person who loves music

-and has played in bands.

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-He likes a laugh.

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-He's a naughty boy!

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-Everyone knows him,

-everyone wants selfies...

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-..and you realize

-that Matt is a celebrity.

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-The thing about Matt is

-everybody likes Matt.

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-The only thing I ever thought

-looking at Matt Johnson...

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-..was jealousy!

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-I would just look at him and say...

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-.."It's not right that one

-human being should look so well...

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-"..be so upbeat, nice and friendly

-and be so good at their job."

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-I had no idea

-what he was going through.

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-None of us would have known.

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-Cheers, boss!

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-Just like old times!

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-It took me a while to speak honestly

-about how I was feeling.

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-To someone who gets paid every day

-to talk...

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-..that's completely nuts!

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-But talking about your feelings

-is different.

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-That was very hard...

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-..although it was probably

-the best thing I ever did.

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-What was going on in my head

-at the time...

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-..is something

-that's difficult to explain.

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-I'm this happy guy

-from Caerphilly...

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-..with a lovely family,

-with great friends.

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-I was kind of sad

-and I didn't know why.

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-The reason why I didn't reach out

-or speak to anybody...

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-..was because I didn't know

-what was going on myself.

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-I was annoyed with myself

-like most people are sometimes...

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-..when you see somebody

-with depression.

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-You think, snap out of it.

-Everything's wonderful.

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-1 in 4 of us will suffer

-a mental illness at some point...

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-..with depression

-being the most common.

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-Depression

-is a collection of symptoms.

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-One of the main symptoms

-is feeling low in spirit.

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-Other symptoms are a lack of energy,

-lack of interest in things...

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-..and in young people specifically,

-we often find irritability.

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-Other obvious symptoms are

-lack of sleep, eating problems...

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-..concentration problems...

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-..and in extreme cases

-we worry if people...

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-..have the feeling of wanting to

-self-harm and not wanting to exist.

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-It was ten years ago.

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-People just didn't talk

-about depression then.

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-It wasn't the done thing at all.

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-No media discussion, no campaigns.

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-Maybe if there were things

-out there...

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-..to make people

-more aware of mental health...

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-..I would have sought help.

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-Hindsight, though,

-is a wonderful thing.

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-At school in Caerphilly...

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-..Matt was as comfortable on

-the rugby pitch as he was on stage.

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-It soon became apparent that

-he wanted to work in television.

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-After leaving school...

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-..he started working as a runner

-on Welsh drama series.

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-I knew I wanted to work

-in entertainment...

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-..as an actor and singer.

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-I'd fallen in love

-with the TV world.

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-I know it sounds corny but it was

-great to step into the Welsh world.

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-It was my first experience

-of Welsh culture.

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-What's Welsh culture in Welsh?

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-Diwylliant Cymraeg.

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-Diwylliant Cymraeg.

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-Diwylliant Cymraeg.

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-In 2004,

-he joined Welsh boy band Max-N.

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-He got a taste of fame,

-performing in front of thousands...

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-..in places like Wembley Arena

-with Girls Aloud.

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-I felt as though

-I was part of something special.

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-We were rock stars.

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-"Rock stars".

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-# Every colour sparkling

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-# Walking down the street #

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-I'd never partied like this before -

-drink, drink, drink.

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-Two gigs a night,

-travelling everywhere.

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-Burning the candle at both ends

-for sure.

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-# Give me faith, feelings of despair

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-# Nothing valuable comes easy #

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-After two years, the band split, and

-finding work in television was hard.

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-During this period,

-Matt started drinking heavily.

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-It felt like a little game.

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-I couldn't drive at the time...

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-..so I didn't have any problems

-with drink driving.

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-I was getting taxis and buses.

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-I was hiding

-how hungover I was most days.

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-I was getting pretty good at that.

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-That was the little bit of control

-that I had.

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-Looking back, knowing

-what I know now about Matt...

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-..maybe the signs were there...

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-..maybe drinking a little too much,

-like everyone in their 20s.

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-Maybe this was a way

-to hide any pain he had...

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-..or a way

-of taking the attention away...

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-..from those things in his mind

-that worried him.

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-I don't know. It's hard to say.

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-There was an element of

-self-sabotage starting to come in.

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-I was drinking too much...

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-..trying to hide my feelings

-with alcohol.

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-I collapsed in Ammanford

-after a night on the pop...

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-..and fractured my cheekbone,

-my nose and my jaw.

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-A complete mess.

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-The rollercoaster and fun

-came to an end straight away.

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-This was the first time

-I didn't feel superhuman.

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-I am not superhuman.

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-I could get injuries

-like everyone else...

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-..and...

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-..and I felt scared

-for the first time, ever.

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-I couldn't get out of bed.

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-I didn't want to speak to anyone.

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-I was stuttering...

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-..when I was trying to speak

-to somebody for some reason.

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-I pretty much

-wanted to curl up in a little ball.

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-Into a ball.

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-I hated myself.

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-I didn't have any money.

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-I just had small jobs like

-working in a pub and coffee shops.

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-This affected

-my relationship at the time.

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-I just felt guilt, guilty.

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-I felt I was letting myself down...

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-..and letting her down as well.

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-In the summer of 2009,

-Matt's six-year relationship...

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-..with TV presenter Alex Jones

-came to an end.

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-The drinking continued, he was

-thousands of pounds in debt...

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-..and the depression took hold.

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-A few days before Christmas 2009...

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-..he decided to escape

-to his parents' apartment in Spain.

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-I got there - the worst rain

-I've ever seen in Spain.

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-The TV wasn't working etc.

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-I went to the local pub,

-the local karaoke bar.

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-The measures in Spain

-are pretty bad anyway...

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-..but I got absolutely annihilated

-and I don't know how I got home.

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-I drank a bottle of whisky...

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-..went out to the balcony...

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-..and thought everyone

-would be better off if I jumped.

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-I couldn't believe

-he'd reached such a dark place.

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-I felt for him.

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-I remember him saying

-he didn't have any options.

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-The only way out of this hole

-was to jump from the balcony.

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-For someone to reach that point,

-something was obviously very wrong.

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-I'd run out of ideas.

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-I felt like I had no other option.

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-I couldn't bear the thought of four

-years or more of feeling sad...

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-..and no way out...

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-..and not liking who I was.

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-It's hard to put yourself

-in that position...

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-..where someone's at such a low ebb,

-there's no hope.

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-That's despite

-having a fantastic family...

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-..and Matt has a great family.

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-And good friends, obviously.

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-Seriously,

-Matt has a special group of friends.

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-It's hard to believe that wasn't

-enough for him at the time.

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-I just can't imagine -

-that's what's difficult.

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-I can't identify with that.

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-You must be in an awful place

-to think like that.

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-Then I cried...

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-..because I knew

-I wasn't going to do it.

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-That feeling of numbness.

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-That feeling...

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-..of internal resentment,

-pain and anger towards yourself.

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-For that to be released,

-I felt it straight away...

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-..the outpouring was incredible.

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-I could not believe

-how lucky I was...

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-..because so many people out there

-do commit suicide.

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-They get to that point.

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-I can't imagine

-what that point's like.

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-I was there,

-and that was bad enough.

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-That part there, I dread to think

-what that must be like.

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-Unbelievable.

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-The next day, Matt travelled home

-to spend Christmas with his family.

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-.

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-Subtitles

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-Subtitles

-

-Subtitles

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-I came home on Christmas Eve...

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-..with a massive hangover,

-obviously.

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-I also had a sense of euphoria...

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-..this weird adrenaline.

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-Knowing that I wanted to live life

-and get better felt amazing.

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-It felt like the tunnel was opening

-slightly. That's not a lie.

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-It felt like

-it was getting lighter.

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-That was the first time in a very

-long time I was aware of things.

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-I was...

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-I was present in that moment.

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-In the new year, I decided

-to run the London Marathon...

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-..to give myself focus.

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-I'd started to be more sociable.

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-I felt

-I was having my best sleep ever.

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-Like I was...

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-Like I had just been hatched

-after a well-rested 30,000 years!

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-Soon after,

-Matt appeared on Cariad@Iaith...

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-..S4C's new Welsh learners series.

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-It was a chance for him

-to polish his Welsh.

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-Would you like a Welsh cake?

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-Would you like a Welsh cake?

-

-I'm fine, thanks.

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-What's your phone number?

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-But behind the smile, he was still

-suffering bouts of depression.

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-A time came

-when things got a bit better.

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-Work was going well.

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-My personal and financial situation

-was getting better.

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-But I still felt the same inside...

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-..sad and tired.

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-I just couldn't shake that cloud.

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-I worked with Matt for a while,

-but back and forth over time.

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-We always had fun. We'd pull each

-other's leg and have a real laugh.

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-But then there were times,

-I sensed...

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-I sensed a kind of heaviness.

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-Sadness is the word, maybe.

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-Something wasn't quite right.

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-It's hard when someone's doing a job

-of work presenting a programme...

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-..so we're happy and jolly...

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-..but then,

-in the periods in between...

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-..we'd grab ten minutes

-where I would ask if he was OK.

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-Good evening and welcome

-to the final of Cariad@Iaith.

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-TV presenting is the best job

-to have for me personally...

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-..so I can hide

-however I'm feeling.

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-You're in charge a little bit.

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-You're supposed to project a

-magnified version of your happiness.

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-It's the perfect cover.

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-I remember one time

-having a coffee with you...

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-..and I think

-I was in such a state of anxiety.

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-I'd been drinking, I think,

-for four weeks solid.

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-You just very calmly and easily

-said, "Be kind to yourself."

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-It really stuck with me.

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-It's stayed with me.

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-It really

-had a massive effect on me.

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-Something simple but so important.

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-It's interesting to hear Matt say...

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-..that anything I've said

-has ever helped him in any way...

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-..because,

-I just think I was a friend.

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-I was worried about him.

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-But maybe people are reluctant...

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-..to ask that simple question -

-are you OK?

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-Men are 6 times less likely

-than women...

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-..to seek help

-for their suicidal thoughts.

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-Dealing with his depression

-was a long process for Matt.

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-The first difficult step...

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-..was to learn to speak openly

-about his feelings.

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-I lived in Cardiff.

-My parents were in Caerphilly.

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-I probably saw them

-four times a year.

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-If you've been on a bender

-for three months...

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-..the last thing you want

-is your mam coming round...

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-..clacking through bottles

-and seeing her son on the sofa.

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-I pushed them away. Definitely.

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-At the time,

-I really wish I'd spoken to my dad.

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-I really, really wish,

-because he would have understood.

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-My father's

-been through things in the past...

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-..so he could probably relate

-to a few things I was going through.

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-He's a very good listener

-and a really good talker.

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-He's a smart guy.

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-So three years after

-my really bad time...

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-..is when we first

-started to talk about it.

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-Matt's father Gary

-was an undercover detective.

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-For over 20 years,

-he has suffered with depression.

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-It's an illness he kept a secret...

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-..and which finally

-brought his career to an end.

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-This is the first time he's

-spoken openly about his experiences.

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-I started suffering when I was in a

-red-blooded job in the police force.

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-The roles I was involved in

-were things like the drugs squad.

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-They were men's men,

-big, strong men doing a hard job.

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-I was in a dark place, I know I was.

-I didn't want to go to work.

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-I actually lied

-because of the stigma attached.

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-I told the police force

-I had a bad back.

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-I was not going to talk

-or admit that to the world then.

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-In fact, I've never ever

-talked about it publicly.

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-You are the most...

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-I talked to you because of the

-bond we've got with mental health.

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-I was suffering, and still am.

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-A lot of facts have come out...

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-..through

-talking to members of the family...

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-..and to find out tragic stories...

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-..particularly

-my grandmother's side of the family.

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-My father went for a walk

-with an uncle...

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-..for miles

-up a disused railway line.

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-He was told,

-"You can go home now, son."

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-He said, "Are you coming with me?"

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-"No, you go. Run along now.

-Go home." He did.

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-He later find out

-that his uncle had hung himself.

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-That's the sort of thing

-my dad dealt with.

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-He kept it all inside.

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-He suppressed it all terribly,

-didn't he?

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-He hid behind the newspaper.

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-He hid behind the newspaper.

-

-Terrible.

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-He wasn't able to communicate with

-men either. With you, me or Adam.

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-He was a very tough guy

-and that was his downfall.

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-His conversations

-were limited to rugby.

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-The things

-that were common to his audience.

0:20:510:20:54

-Kept them at arm's length.

0:20:540:20:56

-Many a time when I took your mother

-back when we were courting...

0:20:560:21:00

-..he'd put up the paper,

-and, yes, he appeared ignorant...

0:21:000:21:03

-..but he was screening everything.

0:21:040:21:04

-..but he was screening everything.

-

-He was hiding.

0:21:040:21:06

-My dad said at one stage,

-"You're feeling sorry for yourself.

0:21:060:21:09

-"And if you're a man,

-you can shake it off.

0:21:100:21:12

-"You haven't got a cut

-to put a plaster on.

0:21:120:21:15

-"You haven't got a broken leg

-to put a cast on.

0:21:150:21:18

-"You are invisibly suffering."

0:21:180:21:21

-Talking to my dad then

-was just unbelievable.

0:21:240:21:27

-That's the first time

-he's really talked in detail...

0:21:270:21:30

-..and so well about his mental

-illness and how he's lived with it.

0:21:300:21:34

-His own family tree and how

-he thinks it's part of his DNA...

0:21:360:21:39

-..because of his great-grandmother -

-she committed suicide.

0:21:400:21:44

-His grandmother's brother

-committed suicide.

0:21:440:21:47

-I didn't know that.

0:21:470:21:48

-This is all news to me.

-Brand-new stuff.

0:21:480:21:51

-I've been absolutely blown away

-today by his bravery...

0:21:510:21:55

-..and been shocked

-by his stubbornness.

0:21:550:21:59

-It's opened my mind...

0:22:000:22:01

-..to get into the mind of somebody

-that works in that world...

0:22:020:22:05

-..a police officer, somebody

-that's tough, a joker, a lad.

0:22:060:22:09

-There's millions of them down there.

0:22:090:22:11

-The Valleys

-are full of people like that.

0:22:120:22:14

-By 2030, the World Health

-Organization predicts...

0:22:180:22:21

-..that more people in the world...

0:22:210:22:23

-..will be suffering from depression

-than any other illness.

0:22:230:22:27

-In 2010, Matt, who was starting to

-learn to live with his depression...

0:22:270:22:32

-..got a job as a presenter

-on ITV's This Morning show...

0:22:320:22:36

-..his first big break.

0:22:360:22:38

-I was finally doing

-what I wanted to do.

0:22:380:22:41

-I was having such a laugh.

0:22:410:22:43

-The whole team

-was getting on really well.

0:22:440:22:47

-I was making the most

-out of living in the city.

0:22:490:22:53

-I was going out nearly every night.

0:22:530:22:56

-The only drawback to the job

-was having to get up early.

0:22:560:23:00

-One part of his illness

-that has worried him daily...

0:23:070:23:10

-..is his battle with sleep.

0:23:100:23:12

-During the darkest time...

0:23:160:23:18

-..I pretty much had insomnia

-for three to four months...

0:23:180:23:21

-..which really messes

-with your brain.

0:23:220:23:24

-I used to drink a lot.

0:23:280:23:29

-That's the only way

-I could get to sleep.

0:23:300:23:32

-National Centre for Mental Health

0:23:370:23:41

-The National Centre

-for Mental Health in Cardiff...

0:23:410:23:45

-..are using a special watch...

0:23:450:23:47

-..to research into the link between

-lack of sleep and depression.

0:23:480:23:52

-To control his sleeping problems,

-Matt's taking part in the research.

0:23:520:23:56

-How accurate are these watches?

0:23:580:24:00

-I'll put it on while you explain.

0:24:000:24:02

-I'll put it on while you explain.

-

-They can be quite accurate.

0:24:020:24:04

-You'll also be doing a mood diary

-as well as a sleep diary.

0:24:040:24:08

-We'll then be able to look at

-what you've said in those diaries...

0:24:080:24:12

-..what the watch has said...

0:24:120:24:14

-..and if there are any relationships

-between your sleep and mood.

0:24:140:24:18

-The watch might make me anxious!

-The watch is spying on me!

0:24:180:24:22

-I'll do what I can

-for this to work...

0:24:220:24:25

-..and for you to find out

-whatever you need to find out.

0:24:250:24:28

-The watch can't measure how deep

-Matt's sleep is or its quality.

0:24:300:24:35

-For that, he'll have to wear

-a special cap for one night...

0:24:350:24:38

-..to measure his brain activity.

0:24:390:24:41

-The cap will show how long Matt

-spends in the four stages of sleep.

0:24:430:24:49

-Specifically,

-the length of his deep sleep...

0:24:490:24:52

-..the most important stage

-for a healthy mind and body.

0:24:530:24:57

-The results could have a huge impact

-on Matt's way of life.

0:24:590:25:04

-Excuse me! Goodnight!

0:25:050:25:07

-.

0:25:130:25:13

-Subtitles

0:25:170:25:17

-Subtitles

-

-Subtitles

0:25:170:25:19

-Over the last few years...

0:25:220:25:24

-..Matt's found a way

-of living with his depression.

0:25:240:25:28

-A series of small steps such as

-keeping fit and eating healthily.

0:25:290:25:34

-To him,

-these small steps are crucial...

0:25:340:25:37

-..to ensure

-he keeps his mind healthy.

0:25:370:25:40

-I have to force myself to slow down.

0:25:420:25:45

-To switch off the phone,

-just be in the moment.

0:25:460:25:49

-I've got to do these little things.

0:25:500:25:52

-One topic that's quite often raised

-talking to Matt...

0:25:540:25:57

-..is the techniques he uses

-to cope with his mental health.

0:25:570:26:01

-He knows all the tricks!

0:26:010:26:02

-They sound so simple.

0:26:030:26:04

-Keeping fit,

-going for a run or a jog.

0:26:040:26:07

-Doing that

-releases chemicals in the body...

0:26:070:26:09

-..that makes a person feel better.

0:26:100:26:12

-They are things

-that everyone can do...

0:26:120:26:15

-..to try to keep the dark clouds,

-or those low points, at bay.

0:26:150:26:19

-Matt's come back

-to see researcher Katie Lewis.

0:26:240:26:27

-He hopes

-that the sleep test results...

0:26:270:26:29

-..will provide another way

-of dealing with his depression.

0:26:290:26:33

-I see from your sleep patterns

-that your sleep's quite erratic.

0:26:330:26:37

-You're going to sleep

-at different times of the day...

0:26:370:26:41

-..usually very late -

-three, five or six in the morning.

0:26:410:26:45

-The problem

-with your erratic sleep pattern...

0:26:460:26:48

-..is that

-you're giving yourself jet lag.

0:26:490:26:51

-You're telling your body clock

-it's shift time zones.

0:26:520:26:56

-When you are sleeping,

-the quality isn't very good.

0:26:560:27:00

-You've rated it yourself as

-being quite low - 2 or 3 out of 10.

0:27:000:27:04

-This is mirrored

-in what we saw in your EEG.

0:27:040:27:07

-We can see

-from your brain activity...

0:27:080:27:10

-..that you spend a lot of time

-in light sleep.

0:27:100:27:14

-This is common

-for people with depression.

0:27:140:27:17

-The long-term impact of having

-a variable sleep schedule...

0:27:170:27:20

-..and not having

-very refreshing sleeps...

0:27:210:27:23

-..are they can impact

-our physical and mental health.

0:27:230:27:27

-Putting all this information

-together...

0:27:280:27:31

-..it looks like

-you're chronically sleep deprived.

0:27:310:27:34

-Right. So how do I improve my sleep?

0:27:340:27:37

-Make sure

-you have a regular routine.

0:27:370:27:40

-Make sure you try to get up

-at the same time every day...

0:27:410:27:44

-..and that you eat your meals

-at the same time.

0:27:440:27:47

-All of that helps

-to synchronize your main body clock.

0:27:470:27:51

-Avoid bright lights, alcohol and

-caffeine in the hours before bed.

0:27:510:27:55

-No phones for an hour

-before I go to bed, no TV?

0:27:560:27:59

-No. Just things that are relaxing.

0:28:000:28:02

-It does seem

-the warning signs are there...

0:28:020:28:05

-..that this is something

-you really should address.

0:28:050:28:08

-That was hard to hear.

0:28:150:28:17

-I'm in such a bad habit

-with my sleeping.

0:28:170:28:20

-Having science back this up...

0:28:220:28:25

-..has really made me think.

0:28:250:28:27

-I have to change my ways.

0:28:270:28:30

-One of Matt's friends

-is Tom Fletcher...

0:28:370:28:39

-..from the world-famous bands

-McFly and McBusted.

0:28:390:28:43

-Lately, he has spoken publicly...

0:28:440:28:46

-..about his battle with depression

-and bipolar disorder.

0:28:470:28:51

-Like Matt,

-he's had sleeping problems...

0:28:530:28:56

-..but speaking about his experiences

-has been a great solace to him.

0:28:570:29:01

-I can honestly say

-it's been 100% positive.

0:29:030:29:08

-I can't think of an instance where

-there was a negative reaction...

0:29:090:29:12

-..to me being

-more open about mental health...

0:29:130:29:15

-..or sharing my own experiences.

0:29:160:29:18

-One of the things

-I was worried about...

0:29:190:29:21

-..was that by going to get help

-and speaking to someone...

0:29:210:29:25

-..and taking medication,

-that I would lose...

0:29:250:29:29

-Was it this kind of mania...

0:29:300:29:32

-Was it this kind of mania...

-

-Your creative edge.

0:29:320:29:34

-Yes, was it like a superpower...

0:29:340:29:37

-..and the downside

-was the intense dark periods.

0:29:380:29:42

-Growing up in the public eye

-adds a certain amount of pressure.

0:29:420:29:46

-You get so excited about this album

-and taking over the world.

0:29:470:29:50

-Even though, when I look back...

0:29:500:29:53

-..we were No.1,

-we had sell-out tours and things...

0:29:530:29:56

-..you can't help feel that my dreams

-were far bigger than that.

0:29:570:30:01

-These crazy, unrealistic,

-unachievable things.

0:30:020:30:05

-When they didn't happen, that would

-send me off to these dark places.

0:30:050:30:10

-Sleep was a big thing.

-I never slept.

0:30:100:30:12

-I feel so stupid talking about this!

0:30:130:30:15

-I was terrified of aliens.

-I know this sounds really silly.

0:30:150:30:19

-The term paralysed with fear...

0:30:200:30:22

-..that was me for 90% of my life

-at night time.

0:30:220:30:26

-I'd get myself into such a state...

0:30:270:30:29

-..where I couldn't even get out

-to turn the light on...

0:30:290:30:32

-..to get a drink or move enough

-to pull the covers up.

0:30:330:30:36

-I was terrified so I never slept.

0:30:360:30:39

-I was just angry, miserable,

-emotional, unreasonable.

0:30:390:30:44

-You can't see

-light at the end of the tunnel...

0:30:450:30:47

-..and you don't even

-want to look for it.

0:30:470:30:50

-That's what I found anyway -

-you're so consumed by this misery.

0:30:500:30:53

-So 30,000-40,000 people

-couldn't gee you up?

0:30:540:30:57

-No, definitely not.

0:30:570:30:58

-I would be a moody so-and-so

-onstage, hating life, hating myself.

0:30:580:31:03

-I can't imagine that.

0:31:030:31:05

-Almost resenting...

0:31:050:31:06

-..this amazing

-and incredible opportunity...

0:31:070:31:10

-..and feeling like you resent it.

0:31:100:31:12

-Depression affects 300 million

-people, of all ages, worldwide

0:31:130:31:18

-After hiding his depression

-for years...

0:31:210:31:24

-..in the summer of 2013, Matt told

-his story to a national magazine.

0:31:240:31:28

-Until that point, he hadn't told

-anyone about that moment in Spain.

0:31:280:31:33

-Not even his parents.

0:31:330:31:35

-When he went public,

-he actually rang me and said...

0:31:360:31:40

-.."Dad, tomorrow they are putting

-this piece in the magazine.

0:31:410:31:45

-"It's something about my life."

0:31:450:31:47

-I said, "You told me, son.

0:31:480:31:50

-"You told me a few years ago

-on that veranda."

0:31:500:31:53

-He was shocked.

0:31:540:31:55

-We were actually on the veranda

-in Spain...

0:31:550:31:58

-..where he was contemplating

-ending his life.

0:31:580:32:01

-He told me when he was drunk

-and he didn't remember.

0:32:010:32:04

-I remember the morning

-I read about Matt's story.

0:32:040:32:08

-It was a huge shock to the system.

0:32:090:32:11

-I could not believe it at all.

0:32:110:32:13

-Hearing it had got so far,

-so dark, so horrific.

0:32:140:32:18

-Even thinking...

0:32:190:32:22

-..about Matt considering doing

-something so horrific is awful.

0:32:230:32:28

-But to try to commit suicide...

0:32:280:32:30

-..well, you won't get anything worse

-than that about your best friend.

0:32:300:32:35

-Obviously, the first thing

-I wanted to do was phone Matt...

0:32:350:32:39

-..just to make sure he was OK.

0:32:390:32:41

-You think you know some people...

0:32:440:32:46

-Matt was also keen

-to speak openly...

0:32:470:32:49

-..to the millions of This Morning

-viewers and his colleagues.

0:32:490:32:53

-My colleagues always saw me as

-a happy, lively, happy-go-lucky guy.

0:32:540:32:58

-And now I was going to have

-to discuss my illness...

0:32:580:33:02

-..and explain that there was

-another side to Matt Johnson.

0:33:020:33:06

-Eamonn and Ruth

-were fantastic with me.

0:33:070:33:11

-I was so surprised.

0:33:110:33:12

-Never, ever would I

-have put you in that bracket.

0:33:120:33:15

-Never did I think

-you had troubles like that.

0:33:150:33:18

-You were either over it

-or were really good at masking it.

0:33:180:33:23

-I reckon it's the second

-rather than the first...

0:33:230:33:26

-..because doing what we do,

-it's the most insecure profession.

0:33:260:33:32

-You are constantly judged

-and criticized...

0:33:320:33:35

-..you rely

-on people's praise or otherwise.

0:33:350:33:39

-Approval.

0:33:390:33:40

-Approval.

-

-Approval. All the time.

0:33:400:33:42

-Of course that affects your mood.

0:33:430:33:46

-Social media,

-what the public think of you...

0:33:460:33:49

-..and how newspapers review you.

0:33:490:33:51

-So you are in a tough environment...

0:33:510:33:54

-..for someone who doesn't feel

-too strong and stable at times.

0:33:540:33:58

-But did I ever pick that up

-with you? No.

0:33:590:34:01

-Matt was happy-go-lucky.

0:34:010:34:03

-If I could come back in a second

-life, I'd like to come back as you!

0:34:040:34:08

-That's what a lot of people said...

0:34:080:34:10

-..it was more of a "what the hell

-has he got to be depressed about?"

0:34:100:34:14

-Talking to someone

-can be therapy in itself.

0:34:150:34:19

-So what we need is more awareness,

-in particular among men...

0:34:200:34:25

-..and in people whose jobs mean

-there's pressure to be strong...

0:34:250:34:30

-..so they feel

-there's someone there for them.

0:34:300:34:34

-GPs receive training

-about depression...

0:34:340:34:38

-..and in dealing with depression.

0:34:380:34:40

-It's a more common problem

-than we think.

0:34:400:34:45

-Over 300 people commit suicide

-in Wales every year...

0:34:460:34:49

-..with 4 times as many men

-than women killing themselves

0:34:500:34:54

-Olympic Park, London

0:34:560:34:57

-Nowadays, Matt is passionate...

0:34:570:34:59

-..about the need to encourage others

-to speak out and seek help.

0:35:000:35:03

-In 2014,

-he became an ambassador for Mind...

0:35:040:35:07

-..the charity which aims to

-raise awareness and understanding...

0:35:070:35:11

-..of mental health problems.

0:35:110:35:13

-Today, he's filming

-a new campaign for Mind.

0:35:140:35:17

-Congratulations

-on passing your first challenge.

0:35:170:35:20

-Now it's on to the second.

-We're in this together. Let's do it!

0:35:200:35:24

-The great thing about Matt

-is even though he's suffering...

0:35:240:35:28

-..he's the first to ask others

-if everything's OK.

0:35:280:35:31

-He has that empathy.

0:35:310:35:32

-I think the illness

-has given him that quality...

0:35:330:35:36

-..that he's maybe more sensitive

-and more ready to help.

0:35:360:35:40

-That's obvious in the fact that

-he wants to share his story now...

0:35:400:35:44

-..and that he feels this urge...

0:35:440:35:46

-..to make sure there is an open

-discussion about mental health...

0:35:460:35:51

-..and that people do speak about it.

0:35:510:35:53

-I'm very proud of him for that.

0:35:540:35:55

-Fair play,

-it's a brave and brilliant thing.

0:35:560:35:59

-.

0:36:010:36:01

-Subtitles

0:36:040:36:04

-Subtitles

-

-Subtitles

0:36:040:36:06

-As a Mind ambassador, I've spoken

-to a lot of young people.

0:36:110:36:15

-There is a lot more pressure

-on them these days.

0:36:150:36:20

-They have to look good,

-do well in school...

0:36:210:36:24

-..be successful

-in everything they do.

0:36:250:36:27

-And with social media, it's

-nearly impossible to switch off.

0:36:280:36:32

-50% of cases of mental illness have

-started by the time a child is 14

0:36:320:36:38

-The welfare and development team

-at Plasmawr School...

0:36:450:36:48

-..headed by Catrin Pallot...

0:36:480:36:50

-..prioritizes pupil welfare

-within the school.

0:36:500:36:53

-With the pressure on children

-to achieve academically...

0:36:540:36:58

-..with all these steps that measure

-success within schools these days...

0:36:580:37:02

-..I think it's important we

-place greater emphasis on welfare.

0:37:030:37:07

-I'm lucky in my job that

-I get to meet lots of young people.

0:37:070:37:10

-Sadly, I come across

-a lot of young people...

0:37:100:37:13

-..who are going through

-difficult periods...

0:37:130:37:16

-..a period of mental illness,

-who are frustrated, low and anxious.

0:37:160:37:20

-The school encourages the children

-not to be afraid to talk openly...

0:37:230:37:27

-..and to face their worries head on.

0:37:280:37:30

-They are also working hard

-at eradicating the stigma...

0:37:300:37:34

-..which exists around boys.

0:37:340:37:36

-The majority of students I support

-are girls. Why do you think that is?

0:37:360:37:41

-Boys wouldn't have the confidence

-to go to you...

0:37:410:37:44

-..or do anything about it.

0:37:450:37:47

-Boys worry more

-about what other people think.

0:37:470:37:53

-Discussing problems,

-even small things...

0:37:530:37:56

-..is rooted in girls' upbringing...

0:37:560:37:59

-..but with boys there's a stereotype

-that they have to be strong...

0:37:590:38:04

-..and not show any feelings,

-which has now become a norm.

0:38:040:38:09

-In society,

-boys our age don't open up.

0:38:100:38:14

-They think it isn't cool.

0:38:140:38:16

-I'm lucky in this school...

0:38:170:38:19

-..I've been able to play rugby

-and be in musicals.

0:38:190:38:23

-I think the reason

-boys think they have to be manly...

0:38:240:38:27

-..is because these days, everyone

-is on the Web, everyones online.

0:38:270:38:32

-Everyone's on Snapchat,

-Instagram, Facebook...

0:38:330:38:36

-..so I think it's had an effect.

0:38:360:38:38

-Boys think

-people are going to see them online.

0:38:380:38:41

-Increasingly in schools,

-there's the pastoral side.

0:38:420:38:45

-The staff on the pastoral side

-have to deal more and more...

0:38:450:38:49

-..with the strain

-that social media places on schools.

0:38:490:38:53

-I am deeply, deeply worried

-professionally and personally...

0:38:530:38:57

-..about young people.

0:38:570:38:59

-The things they face these days

-are really hard. There is no escape.

0:38:590:39:03

-When I was in school,

-if someone was nasty to you...

0:39:030:39:07

-..you would go home and that's it.

0:39:070:39:10

-There is no escape nowadays.

0:39:100:39:12

-That Snapchat is there

-in the middle of the night.

0:39:120:39:15

-Unless every parent knows exactly

-what their child is doing...

0:39:150:39:20

-..it is very difficult

-to control the situation.

0:39:200:39:23

-Parents say

-that teenage boys don't talk.

0:39:240:39:26

-They lock themselves in

-their bedroom. But they talk to me.

0:39:270:39:30

-So how can parents help young men

-to be open about their feelings?

0:39:300:39:35

-Our parents were all raised

-in the last generation...

0:39:350:39:40

-..where things were even worse.

0:39:400:39:42

-There's some kind of momentum

-as far as men are concerned.

0:39:420:39:46

-The danger is

-that it carries on with us.

0:39:460:39:50

-However, stopping that with

-the momentum that it's created...

0:39:510:39:55

-..you're talking about the media and

-everything, will be a tough task.

0:39:550:39:59

-How do we break that pattern then?

0:40:010:40:03

-With support at home.

0:40:040:40:06

-It can be something as simple...

0:40:070:40:08

-..as parents asking their child

-about their day and so on.

0:40:090:40:12

-They can choose

-to be honest about it...

0:40:120:40:15

-..but then people need to understand

-that it can be a huge help...

0:40:150:40:19

-..to talk about it with someone,

-especially with your parents.

0:40:190:40:23

-I think it's important

-that schools are very open.

0:40:240:40:27

-We are an inclusive community. We

-try to give all our pupils a voice.

0:40:270:40:31

-We celebrate diversity

-so that everyone feels they belong.

0:40:310:40:35

-Give pupils a chance to trust in

-and share their worries...

0:40:350:40:39

-..with other pupils

-rather than adults.

0:40:390:40:41

-It's often the young people

-who have the answers, not us adults.

0:40:410:40:46

-Boys, you've blown me away.

-It's been an incredible experience.

0:40:460:40:50

-It's really opened my eyes. When I

-was in school, this never happened.

0:40:500:40:55

-It's inspirational.

0:40:550:40:58

-When I was in school,

-boys didn't talk.

0:40:590:41:02

-Now I can quite clearly see

-that things have happily moved on.

0:41:020:41:08

-So thank you very much

-and keep moving forward.

0:41:080:41:11

-At Cardiff University,

-psychiatrist Dr Rhys Bevan Jones...

0:41:140:41:18

-..is creating a website to help

-young people and their families....

0:41:180:41:22

-..to understand and deal with

-mental issues such as depression.

0:41:230:41:27

-It's another development...

0:41:270:41:29

-..that will help to encourage

-dialogue and remove stigma.

0:41:290:41:33

-When you go into the package...

0:41:340:41:36

-..you see a colourful welcome

-screen, not too many words...

0:41:360:41:41

-..with characters that use metaphors

-to describe depression.

0:41:410:41:47

-Among the metaphors used

-is the black dog.

0:41:510:41:55

-People also use metaphors

-to do with the weather...

0:41:560:41:59

-..such as there's fog in their head.

0:41:590:42:02

-Also, things like

-having a monster inside them.

0:42:020:42:05

-This is important

-because it's really difficult...

0:42:070:42:11

-..to get your feelings and emotions

-and put them into words.

0:42:120:42:15

-So, very good.

0:42:160:42:17

-Another exciting development

-in Cardiff...

0:42:190:42:21

-..is the pioneering research into

-the role of genes in mental illness.

0:42:220:42:26

-Now knowing more about the family

-history of depression and suicide...

0:42:260:42:30

-..Matt and his family

-have been invited to take part.

0:42:310:42:34

-The hope is

-developing new treatments.

0:42:340:42:38

-But for Matt, talking

-has been a very important therapy...

0:42:390:42:43

-..while learning to live

-with depression.

0:42:430:42:46

-I've never really

-come to terms with it.

0:42:460:42:51

-I'm still looking for answers.

0:42:510:42:54

-I'm still on medication.

-I have been for 17, 18 years now.

0:42:550:42:59

-But, I'm happy that, maybe,

-I'm not so much a lost cause.

0:43:000:43:06

-I think this documentary...

0:43:060:43:08

-..what you are doing now

-making it more public...

0:43:080:43:11

-..making it more...

0:43:120:43:13

-..that there is a way out

-for people.

0:43:130:43:16

-If someone came to me for advice...

0:43:170:43:19

-..I would probably give them advice

-that I should be giving myself!

0:43:190:43:24

-When you had the confidence to tell

-me, "There's something wrong"...

0:43:240:43:28

-..I probably was better to you

-than to myself.

0:43:290:43:31

-It's been difficult.

0:43:310:43:33

-I came through that era

-where I hid it for so long.

0:43:330:43:36

-It becomes a habit.

0:43:360:43:37

-It becomes a habit.

-

-It becomes a habit to do things.

0:43:370:43:40

-You do know that

-with everything that I do...

0:43:400:43:43

-..and I...

0:43:440:43:45

-I want to help everybody.

0:43:520:43:54

-But all the...

0:43:550:43:56

-Shit!

0:43:570:43:58

-Take your time. Take your time.

0:44:060:44:09

-It's hard hearing that, Dad.

0:44:100:44:11

-All the marathons, fundraising

-and the documentary...

0:44:120:44:18

-..is 'cos I want one person

-to help themselves.

0:44:180:44:21

-As much as everybody.

0:44:250:44:26

-So you saying that...

0:44:290:44:30

-..gives me something, because

-that's what I want you to think.

0:44:330:44:37

-I want you to practise what you

-preach. It's really important to me.

0:44:370:44:41

-You're the example of why men

-don't talk and why they should talk.

0:44:410:44:46

-Will you promise me

-that you'll do that too?

0:44:470:44:50

-I've got to. I can't sit down

-and listen to you crying about it.

0:44:500:44:54

-Shall we take this dog for a walk?

-Can I have a cuddle first?!

0:44:540:44:58

-I've spent a lot of time

-with Matt and his family.

0:45:060:45:09

-They are a lovely, close group,

-they enjoy each others company.

0:45:090:45:13

-The only way for things to get

-better is to be open and honest.

0:45:140:45:18

-Seeing that happening is great.

0:45:180:45:20

-The most important thing

-to give people...

0:45:230:45:26

-..is just to check in on them

-to see if they're OK.

0:45:260:45:29

-We all go through tough times

-in our lives.

0:45:290:45:32

-If we do,

-doing those little things...

0:45:320:45:35

-..knocking on the door,

-sending a text, phoning them...

0:45:350:45:39

-..taking them a bunch of flowers

-or just saying a kind word...

0:45:390:45:43

-..can transform someone's day.

0:45:430:45:45

-Doing those little things.

0:45:450:45:47

-It's quite overwhelming the amount

-of messages you get on social media.

0:45:510:45:55

-But, for some reason, anything about

-mental health seems to catch my eye.

0:45:550:46:00

-I always take a bit more time...

0:46:000:46:03

-..and I'm a bit more caring

-in what I'm saying back...

0:46:030:46:07

-..to someone

-who's taken that step to be open.

0:46:070:46:09

-Just simply by sharing

-what we've been through...

0:46:110:46:14

-..if that can do some good

-for one person...

0:46:140:46:16

-..then it's kind of

-our responsibility to do that.

0:46:170:46:20

-If I could go back

-to the young 27-year-old Matt...

0:46:250:46:31

-..living alone in his apartment...

0:46:310:46:35

-..I would tell him

-to just be kind to himself.

0:46:360:46:42

-More importantly,

-go and talk to somebody.

0:46:420:46:47

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