In conversation with…Ben

Laura from Lumii.me’s ‘ Meeting of Minds’ this week was with Ben, Author of “Absent, Present, and Everything Unpleasant”

Recently, I had the incredible opportunity to meet with Ben Hodgson, the author of the impactful book “Absent, Present, and Everything Unpleasant.” Ben is not only a talented writer, but also the Chair of the Mind charity in his region, an organisation dedicated to supporting mental health.

During our meeting, we delved deep into the themes of his book, which offers a raw and honest exploration of mental health struggles. Ben’s unique perspective and dedication to raising awareness about mental health issues are truly inspiring. His book is a testament to the resilience of individuals facing mental health challenges and serves as a beacon of hope for those in need.

We discussed various topics, including the importance of early intervention and the need for accessible mental health resources. Ben shared his experiences and insights on how we can better support individuals struggling with mental health issues, both in personal and professional settings. Ben says,

‘’It was fascinating to catch up with the founder of Lumii.me, Laura, to learn about a company that is doing exactly that! We spoke about the many different faces of mental health and how, despite different life paths, commonality is found in the emotions that were felt during times of struggle.’’

And in reference to his book Ben states that,

‘’People often ask if I revisit my book now that it’s published. And my answer is always yes! There’s one line I regularly come back to: ‘you embraced the most broken version of me and, in turn, inspired me to do the same’. My journey with mental health as a man was largely about hiding my feelings, as my anxious mind thought that friends and family would perceive me as weak because I was struggling. In reality, as I presented the true me, they only pulled me in tighter. I learned to find strength in my vulnerabilities and hope that by sharing my story, it can help begin a conversation, even if it’s just with one person. ‘’

Ben’s role as the Chair of Mind charity further highlights his commitment to making a positive impact. Mind charity works tirelessly to provide support and resources to those affected by mental health issues, and Ben’s leadership plays a role in driving their mission forward.

I am grateful to have had the opportunity to share the Lumii.me app with Ben who in response said, 

‘’Although concerns naturally exist around how technology can impact children’s wellbeing and mental health, I feel it is important to recognise technology that can positively impact this. Within this conversation was a firsthand interaction with the Lumii.me app, which supports something I feel strongly about: early intervention around understanding mental health in children. Lumii.me gives a platform to help children articulate their feelings and develop coping strategies. As someone who has used art through my own mental health journey, I loved the digital storytelling throughout the app and its potential to really become a powerful ally in a child’s growth and development.’’

I was inspired by Ben’s passion and dedication to mental health and his desire to do what he can to bring about change and understanding in the mental health arena. I thank him for championing the role that our app is playing in supporting wellbeing.

I highly recommend reading “Absent, Present, and Everything Unpleasant” to anyone looking to gain a deeper understanding of mental health issues and to be inspired by Ben’s personal stories of resilience and hope.

We must share passion, ideas, feedback and encouragement in life, because this is what fosters growth and change in society!

Let’s continue to support and uplift each other as we navigate the complexities of mental health together. Thank you, Ben, for your invaluable contributions to the field of mental health and for sharing your journey with us.