Stranger on the Bridge: My Journey from Suicidal Despair to Hope

The Stranger on the Bridge is a memoir by Jonny Benjamin, who was saved from suicide by a stranger on Waterloo Bridge in 2008. The book explores his journey to recovery and his work as an activist changing the culture around mental health awareness. Jonny and Neil Laybourn were reunited in 2014 and now work together to help end the stigma by talking about mental health and suicide prevention.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 02 May 2019
Publisher: Pan Macmillan

In the realm of my world, the term "inspirational" is frequently used to describe individuals, but there is one person who truly embodies that adjective: Jonny Benjamin.

In 2008, at the age of twenty, Jonny found himself standing on Waterloo Bridge, ready to take his own life. It was at that moment that a stranger saw his distress and approached him to offer help. This simple act of kindness saved Jonny's life.

Fast forward to 2014, and Jonny, along with Rethink Mental Illness, launched a campaign with a short video clip to express his gratitude to that stranger who had changed his life. The video went viral, reaching over 319 million people worldwide. The story was picked up by ITV's breakfast shows, leading to the identification and reunion of the stranger, Neil Laybourn.

The Stranger on the Bridge is a memoir that chronicles Jonny's journey, both personally and publicly. It explores how he reached the bridge in the first place and how he manages his diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder. The book is deeply personal, with extracts from Jonny's diaries written since the age of thirteen. It offers a unique insight into mental health and provides a powerful message of hope and resilience.

Jonny's work as an influential activist in changing the culture around mental health awareness was recognized when he was awarded an MBE in 2017. He and Neil now work full-time together, visiting schools, hospitals, prisons, and workplaces to help end the stigma by talking about mental health and suicide prevention. They ran the London Marathon together in 2017 in aid of HeadsTogether.

Following the global campaign to find the stranger, Channel 4 made a documentary of Jonny's search, which has since been shown around the world.

Jonny Benjamin's story is a testament to the power of kindness and the impact that one person can make. His journey from despair to hope has inspired countless others, and his work as an activist continues to make a difference in the lives of many. His memoir, The Stranger on the Bridge, is a must-read for anyone seeking understanding and compassion for those facing mental health challenges.

Weight: 160g
Dimension: 169 x 133 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781509846436