"I BELIEVE any person can suffer from mental ill-health. I know this because I did, but I asked for help. And now my life is so much better."
These are the words of north Belfast man John Mallon, 52, who suffered for many years with mental health issues and came within seconds of ending his own life almost a decade ago.
"I got into my car and drove to a crossroads. To my left was to the place I was going to end my life; to my right, a chance for life. Thankfully there was still something inside me that made me want to live. I turned right," recalls John.
After receiving counselling himself, John turned to photography and capturing the nature around him. In 2014, he held his first exhibition, A View to a Better Mental Health Through the Lens of a Camera, at Belfast's Red Barn Gallery.
"Over 1,600 people came to that exhibition, but more importantly nine people asked for help," says John, a former bouncer.
"I was known as 'big John' who did the doors. People didn't expect me to have mental health problems. But anyone can – it's an illness.
"I talk with young people and ask them what would happen if the engine of a car went wrong. The answer they give me is that it would break down.
"Likewise, if your mind isn't working right and you don't do anything about it, you will have a breakdown."
John, 52, also lost his oldest brother to death by suicide and now uses his photography to help others. After initially setting up his studio From Beauty On Our Doorstep in Belfast's Kennedy Centre for four days, he is now there three years.
As well as viewing his photography, John, with the support of counsellor Mary Creaney, provides advice to those struggling with mental health.
John is now using his pictures to create a calendar to raise awareness for mental health, with the back page of the calendar dedicated to providing contact details for various support organisations.
"Leaflets can be left in a back pocket or discarded, but a calendar is hung on a wall 365 days a year. So if someone is struggling, it gives them the message they are not alone and there is support out there for them."
One of the most striking images in the calendar was taken during this June's Clonard Novena. The photo shows the congregation looking over their shoulders up towards the balcony. The photo carries the message 'You are not alone. We can all look out for each other.'
"The image was unrehearsed. Only Fr Kehoe and myself knew the idea and he spoke to people about why I was taking the photo and the result was lovely," says John.
The calendar is for sale in Belfast's Kennedy Centre, £8 for one or £15 for two. Proceeds will go towards the homeless, mental health training and Townland Boxing Club in Crumlin.
:: If you or someone you know is in distress or despair, call 24/7 freephone helpline Lifeline on 0808 808 8000.
