In 2008, Jonny Benjamin was about to take his own life by jumping off the Waterloo Bridge in London until a man, Neil Laybourn, approached and talked to him. With a promise that “things will get better”, Neil took him back to safety. When emergency intervened the two separated their ways. Six years later, Jonny carried out a social media campaign to “Find Mike”, the nickname of the man who saved him. The two reunited in 2014.
Jonny Benjamin is an award-winning mental health campaigner, public speaker, writer, and vlogger. At the age of 20, he was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, a combination of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. He made YouTube videos educating others and telling his experience about the mental illness. Jonny also released a book called Pill After Pill: Poems From A Schizophrenic Mind. The collection of poetry was mostly written during a 6-week stay in the hospital after he got diagnosed.
Benjamin and Laybourn are active mental health campaigners. They visit schools, hospitals, prisons and workplaces across the UK to talk about mental health and suicide prevention. Together they’re aiming to spread the message that mental health is nothing to be ashamed about. In 2016 they launched their campaign, Think Well, Jonny also spent some time in India carrying out mental health work there.
“The best thing about today was running alongside Neil for 26.2 miles. We ran past Waterloo Bridge at one point, the place where we met.” – Jonny via their Facebook Page
The two faced many challenges together. This year they decided to run the London Marathon for Heads Together. As they never ran a marathon before, the two prepared hard for it. They aimed to reach £100,000 for the marathon. Which will be split between various mental health and suicide prevention charities.
On the day of the marathon, they reached the finish line together 5 hours and 23 minutes later. “The journey we’ve been on since that day 9 years ago has been extraordinary.” Jonny wrote on their Facebook page. “But we couldn’t have done any it without your love and support and encouragement. So massive thank-you to all!”
