Time to Talk Day: Ex-prison officer in Cambridgeshire on 'brink of suicide' shares road to recovery
Gary Clarke from CPSL Mind is now urging others to open up
Last updated 5th Feb 2026
"I had a breakdown, to the brink of suicide."
The words of Gary Clarke, who suffered a mental health breakdown after leaving his job as a prison officer, which he did for 30 years.
Gary, 57, then got in touch with a GP after a "cry for help", which ultimately led to a new lease of life.
"I then learnt the art to talk," he said.
"I used to spend hours and hours trying to work out why do I feel like this, but I couldn't, so I taught myself to not worry about it; just think 'okay, today's a bad day, I need to go to sleep, wake up tomorrow and tomorrow will be fine'."
'Time to talk'
Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and South Lincolnshire (CPSL) Mind - in partnership with the Citizen Hub - have helped set up the 'Side By Side' podcast on what is 'Time to Talk' Day today.
The charity aims to use the podcast as a way of sparking conversations about mental health and wellbeing at a local level.
It also wants to tackle the stigma and discrimination people face experiencing their own mental health challenges.
The Citizen Hub - which has been running for more than two years - aims to provide support and guidance, as well as a sense of belonging for people in need.
“Talking openly and honestly can be the first step towards better mental health for everyone," Olivia Hubbard, co-host of the Side By Side podcast and communications and engagement manager at CPSL Mind, said.
"It can reduce stigma and help people feel comfortable enough to seek help when they need it."
'It's so important to talk'
Since leaving his job in the prison service, Gary - who features on the podcast - has joined CPSL Mind as a perinatal project dads worker role, helping people like him with their struggles.
He's also opened up an Andy's Man Club group in Peterborough, as well as sharing with others his own mental health issues.
"It's so important (to talk); it's what saved my life," Gary said.
"For some people, there needs to be professional medical help but for the vast majority, they just need to have a conversation, talk to people, get people that can help them with their problems.
"Now, I use that experience to help others because I can sit there and say to somebody 'I know how you feel', because I do."
More open spaces
The first podcast episode covers the topic of men’s mental health, recorded at the Citizen Hub.
At first, CPSL Mind said the programme was focused on informing and educating young people on what mental health and wellbeing is, and what may impact their mental health.
But it will also look at recognising the signs, symptoms and triggers of mental health.
According to the Mental Health Foundation, at least 39% of new fathers have actively wanted support for their mental health.
"I think there needs to be more access to places like this (a hub); you sit in here and it's buzzing," Gary added.
"People come in to talk, there is no cost if they don't (want to talk); it's a free open space and that's what we need."