Rupert Young is the founder of The Mood Foundation, he was diagnosed with dysthymia – a depressive mood disorder – in America three years ago. Before that he had been in and out of therapy and spent periods in hospital for the previous 10 years. At no point until his trip to Arizona had he felt able to be himself and feel accepted and his saving grace was horses. When with them he was able to be himself and he realised that he got more out of the horse when he was his true self. It was the first time he did not feel the need to hide behind drugs or alcohol.
Rupert has been on a long and painful journey both for himself and his family but he has come out the other end and is learning every day. Animals are crucial to his recovery and he is passionate about helping others and making sure that his journey is used to help people find help more quickly than he did. Rupert has set up the Mood foundation, a charity that will build a national database of private therapists who can offer free, one-to-one treatment to anyone over 18 diagnosed with depression or anxiety.
His aim is to help people suffering from depressive conditions who are being prevented from recovery because they cannot afford the correct treatment or they do not meet the correct ’threshold’ to access the appropriate services,” he says. “One sufferer affects the lives of everyone around them.”
“I have set up The Mood Foundation as I myself have been badly affected by depressive conditions. I have suffered from addiction, self-harm, and major depression. Depressive conditions do not discriminate, however, in my years fighting it, I have realized that the recovery process does. Treatment is often inaccessible and often only affordable to a few. It took years for me to first realize there was something wrong and then to find the right treatment, however I was lucky enough to be able to try everything until I found what worked for me.
There was still a big fight on my hands but I was able to be in a safe place whenever I needed to be and this was largely down to financial stability. There is definitely no magic wand with depressive conditions; you have to be prepared to face it head on and attack it the same way it attacks you. Just turning up to see a therapist is not going to help. The right combinations of therapy and activity are needed, all of which does cost, however, you have to put in the work and it’s hard. It is my aim to help as many of those people suffering from depressive conditions who are being prevented from recovery because they cannot afford the correct treatment or they do not meet the correct ‘threshold’ to access the appropriate services. Above all I want to get them into the correct room so that they, at least can have the same opportunity to fight as I had”
Q&A with Rupert Young
When was the last time you felt really low?
A few weeks ago I had the flu and couldn’t do the things I love doing.
How do you start an ordinary day?
I walk the dog first thing and don’t do anything till that is done
What complementary therapies have you tried?
A lot, I have a massage once a week, I have done equine assisted therapy, yoga, pilates, acupuncture, nutrition advice, I drink lots of water, climbing, writing, photography and wood work. I even think a nice bath is therapy for me.
Are there any foods you avoid or actively seek to have in your diet?
Fresh fruit and vegetables like broccoli, asparagus I mainly eat vegetable stews. I also include fish when ever it is fresh.
How much and what type of exercise do you do?
I surf, ride horses, climb and walk my huskee. Surfing is my favourite.
Do you think people are good at talking about depression?
I don’t think people are good at talking about depression especially men as it apparently shows weakness. I think it actually shows strength to talk about it.
How do people react when you say you have suffered in the past?
People often say they know someone with depression or if they have had it themselves are quite forthcoming with me as they know I run a mental health charity.
Do you think you can change thought patterns?
I think you can change thought patterns by understanding that you don’t have to react quickly to every thought. I give myself time between thought and action.
What has been your best day in the past year?
My best day was Christmas day galloping over fields with my brother on horses side by side.
What makes you smile?
I smile when people achieve something for the first time. Also when you are in line with someone else’s humour like my brother William. We laugh without even talking.
Do you do Yoga?
I don’t do yoga anymore I need to be more patient with it as it really hurts
How often do you get fresh air?
Every day all day if possible
How much water do you drink a day?
I drink 2 litres a day
How do you get through a bad day?
I get through a bad day by not doing anything bad to myself, I just continue in motion and although I might be sad or angry I understand that there is a reason for those feelings and trust them.
What was the best thing about Arizona?
The best thing about Arizona is it was not judgmental and it was so unfamiliar that I could be me for the first time. Also the staff had all had depression or suffered from addiction illness. Everyone understood even the pool cleaner.
Does the fact that your depression started at school make sense to you?
Yes it does make sense school is where I learnt that I was a bad person because why would teachers treat a good person badly.
Do you think someone could have helped you at school?
Yes the teachers could have not beaten me
Were you bullied at school?
Yes I was bullied at school it really is a very isolating feeling
Why did you decide to work with dogs?
I spend time with animals as they don’t except anything other than the truth you have to be honest with them. To be sitting with an animal is like sitting in front of real life.
How have horses helped you?
Again horses only react to me if I am being the true version of myself so it was a horse in treatment that gave me my first experience of being me. I had to empty out all my guilt and shame and I managed to do this with out alcohol or self harm. When I did this the horse would respond to me when I was stressed it did not. Amazing, Peace without drugs.
What is the most important thing you know today?
The most important thing I know today is just because something seems impossible it doesn’t mean it is. The other thing is time doesn’t go as fast as everyone claims.
What step can people take to start the recovery process?
Start my not hurting yourself anymore. Three meals a day that are balanced, look at getting sleep patterns naturally back on track , exercise and drink lots of water.
Do you think depression is really understood by the medical institutes and general public?
I think they are beginning to understand that there is a link between the emotional and the physical so yes however more can be done to prevent many conditions. However this is an enormous task.
How can parents help their children more?
Let your children shine don’t let them become invisible. Give them and show them healthy options in life from creative activities to caring for others.
Did you know that the amount of children on anti-depressants is rising every year?
Yes it is absurd and I strongly reject this action. Kids on anti depressants there is something very wrong when kids are being treated like adults its not fair!
What can schools do to help children more?
Make kids more visible encourage personal growth as well as the syllabus. Educate both sides of the brain.
You went untreated for so long and your addiction was blamed however your addiction was just a symptom. How do you think this could have been avoided?
Addiction could have been avoided by treating the depression however I kept this secret so this would have been very difficult.
What would be the one thing you would pass onto your children about the lessons you have learnt?
I would pass on to my kids that the good things in life are actually free.
Do you have a different social circle since you got back from Arizona?
Yes I have few friends but value them more. Before I just said yes to everyone.
Questions by Lucy Batham-Read
Contact The Mood Foundation or to make a donation
Reg Charity No: 1122934
PO Box 7774
Hungerford
RG17 1BP