In episode 171 of The Just Checking In Podcast we checked in with freelance writer Freddie deBoer.

Freddie started his career from his public library when he started his own blog whilst in a period of unemployment. After fellow writer and gay rights trailblazer Andrew Sullivan shared his third blog post on his own hugely popular blog, it exploded and he has been writing ever since. 

In recent years, he is now on SubStack where he writes about mental health, politics, media and lots of other issues. 

In this episode we discuss his writing journey, how he became disillusioned from the mental health ‘community’ and why and his Bipolar Disorder, which he was diagnosed with in 2002 when he was 20 years old.

Freddie has had several breakdowns because of his Bipolar. He ended up in a state psychiatric hospital on one occasion and had another well-publicised breakdown where he ended up attacking a fellow journalist and writer Malcolm Harris with baseless accusations of sexual criminality and it cost a lot of his reputation as a result. 

We discuss those breakdowns, that incident and how he's tried to repair his career since that moment, where we draw the line between mental health and personal responsibility and the uncomfortable reality that good people, when experiencing serious mental illness can do or say very bad things.

As always, #itsokaytovent 

You can subscribe to Freddie's SubStack here: https://freddiedeboer.substack.com/

Support Us:

Patreon: www.patreon.com/venthelpuk
GoFundMe: www.gofundme.com/f/help-vent-supp…ir-mental-health
Merchandise: www.redbubble.com/people/VentUK/shop

Music: @patawawa - Strange: www.youtube.com/watch?v=d70wfeJSEvk

Strange - Single

Strange

JCIP #171 - Freddie deBoer

This weeks episode features founder and creator of VENT UK, Freddie Cocker. Through his own experiences with mental health he decided there needed to be a place where everyone, but especially men and boys can open up about their mental health issues, break down stigmas and start conversations and so the platform Vent was created. Freddie talks to us all about his experiences and life up until now!  

You can find out more about Freddie here:

Instagram: @venthelpuk // freddiec94

Talkin' About...Venting with Freddie Cocker - Episode 48

This week! Freddie, founder of Vent drops by to discuss all things mental health with us. We talk about the stigma around men’s mental health in particular, how hard it can be opening up, & therapy. (plus more!)

Wanna chat with us or have any questions? DM us @notanother.podcast. 

VENT 

@venthelpuk

http://vent.org.uk/

https://linktr.ee/venthelpuk

EP 4. “mental health doesn’t discrimnate, it doesn’t matter who you are.”

The Just Checking In Podcast is another step in Vent’s mission to give people a voice, change the conversation around mental health and provide an outlet where everyone, but especially men and boys, can express themselves.

Each pod we check in with a special guest. We have a natter and a chat about all things mental health as well as anything and everything else they're passionate about. 

If it helps that person with their mental health, we'll discuss it!

JCIP #171 - Freddie deBoer

The Just Checking In Podcast by VENT

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