As part of Freedom of Mind Festival, a series of events focusing on mental health and emotional wellbeing taking place in Bristol between 30 Sept - 10 Oct, we are delighted to present The Stranger on the Bridge, the inspirational true story of Jonny Benjamin and his journey to find the man who saved his life.

In January 2008, the then 20-year-old Jonny Benjamin, having been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, stood on London's Waterloo Bridge, intending to jump into the icy water and end his life. That was until a stranger walking by saw him and talked him down from the edge. Six years later Jonny, together with Rethink Mental Illness, launched the #FindMike campaign to try to find that stranger on the bridge so Jonny could finally thank him.

We are lucky enough to have Jonny himself attending this event to do a Q&A with us after the film screening. He will be talking about his experience of the campaign, the work he does now to reduce mental health stigma, and how opening up and talking about his mental health has been beneficial on a personal level.

We all have mental health. Emotional difficulties can affect anyone at any time in their live, and whilst mental illness affects 1 in 4 people every year, there is still a huge stigma attached to it. Freedom of Mind Festival aims to help address these issues, create conversations, educate people about how to look after themselves, and create lasting change throughout the city. It will culminate in a day long conference specifically aimed at the mental health of young people.

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