Booost Conversations - George Sullivan
Video
TW // Suicide
“The stereotype is you go to therapy because there’s something wrong, but actually there’s nothing wrong with understanding yourself better”
Pop the kettle on and enjoy our Booost Conversations with George Sullivan.
George had suicidal tendencies from the age of 14, but felt unable to discuss his troubles due to his environment and society as a whole. Despite achieving a soccer and academic scholarship at an American college, and then achieving First Class Honours at Oxford Brookes, George narrowly survived a suicide attempt during his final year. This had long-lasting physical and mental effects, eventually resulting in his admission to hospital for suicidal risk, where he was diagnosed with Depression, PTSD and Borderline Personality Disorder. Upon discharge, he received five months of private psychotherapy to help process the trauma and manage depression.
Inspired by his experiences, George started the podcast Sully’s Open Conversation in 2022, a mental health talk show aiming to normalise discussing mental health and breaking down the surrounding stigma. Since then, he has been a public speaker for workplaces and schools on the importance of suicide prevention through his lived experience. In November 2022, George was appointed to the Organising Committee for Baton of Hope, which will hopefully become the largest suicide prevention initiative the UK has seen. This year, he was also made Director at Optimal Minds, a psychological strategy business consultant, preparing to launch their emotional intelligence and self-awareness development programmes to help create safe and supportive work environments that promote positive mental wellbeing.
We had a far-reaching conversation with George, and hope you enjoy it as much as we did.
