Ben Potts was loved by many, and his death a tragedy that speaks volumes about the vital need to change the way mental health struggles are understood and handled.

In memory of Ben: 14/11/70 – 04/06/17

Ben transitioned from this life on 4th June this year. He had been an active participant on social media and desperate to see changes in the mental health system in order that he himself could access the support he so desperately needed. Ben also had a desire to help people himself in the future, but knew he needed to first make sense of his own pain and be able to share it in a safe space.

I didn’t have the pleasure of knowing Ben. I wish I had.

From what I have heard he was a gentle and kind soul, tormented by the pain of the world and his personal demons. When we are told that there is something ‘wrong’ with us because of this, sometimes that pain becomes too much to bear alone.

Yesterday would have been Ben’s 47th birthday.

Ben’s family felt that he would have wanted to see the development of more ‘Safe space groups’ in his memory, where people like himself can go to talk about their distress, and to feel ‘normal’ in experiencing such pain. To share with others coping strategies, stories of hope and to experience connection.

It is tragic that it takes such horrendous circumstances for developments to happen, but thanks to the generosity of Ben’s family, more Peers will be trained to hold Emerging Kind safe spaces in 2018.

According to Ben’s sister Katie, Ben would have loved that.

Ben may be gone in body, but his spirit goes on, and he is leaving a legacy that will hopefully prevent others from feeling the desperation and isolation he felt.

The Emerging Kind team and community would like to offer our immense gratitude to the Potts family in their grief.

The Emerging Proud 2018 commemorative print will be dedicated to Ben’s memory ❤