Clothing brand launched by Knowle man aiming to start positive conversations about mental health
A NEW clothing brand has been launched by a man using his experience of mental health issues to start conversations on the topic.
BAD Samaritan is the brainchild of Johnny Bolderson: a range of T-shirts, jumpers, tracksuits, hats and more which all feature the phone number for listening charity Samaritans on the label.
Johnny, from Knowle Village, wanted to create fashionable clothing which encouraged people to talk about mental health and find the support they need.
The BAD part of the name stands for Battle Anxiety and Depression, which Johnny is very passionate about after struggling with painkiller addiction when he was younger.
The 41-year-old said: ‘I wanted to create something that could create awareness that other people can relate to and was fashionable. I created a brand that looked good first but also started a positive conversation.
‘I had a lot of issues when I was growing up and lots of different things happened and I had to go through the mental health system.
‘I found some support that was amazing and it changed my life. I wanted to help other people to never stop looking for support because it is out there. You might meet one professional who is bad but you might meet another and you just click.’
Johnny is currently selling online and through a pod inside a Southampton shop, but the dream would be to have his own store which employs people struggling to get back into employment because of their mental health.
Johnny said: ‘The thought of someone being where I was years ago in such a dark place scares the hell out of me and breaks my heart.
‘No one should feel that low. The goal is to get people to be able to tell their mate or their boss they are struggling.
‘If I can make this brand the normal brand that everyone wears growing up and it becomes the norm to talk about your mental health it would be brilliant.
‘Every brand should have a responsibility to do some sort of awareness around mental health.’
Each month, 10 per cent of the profits will go to charity, with recent donations helping the Wave 105 Christmas appeal and feeding children during half term.
Visit badsamaritan.co.uk to learn more or make an order.
