A diagnosis of schizophrenia has turned film-maker Jonny Benjamin into a poster boy for young people’s mental health.
Benjamin first began hearing voices at 10 and subsequently went on to suffer frequent deep bouts of depression from 16. He was diagnosed in his early 20s with schizoaffective disorder – a combination of schizophrenia and depression.
Three years ago, Benjamin set up a YouTube channel to reach out to others with mental health difficulties, and has since created a catalogue of videos online – usually of him talking to camera but also short films – as well as offering support and a forum for discussion about the issues most affecting young people.
This year, Benjamin presented a full-length documentary, Failed by the NHS, for BBC3 as part of the channel’s much-praised mental health season.