I was so moved by last night’s programme on Channel 4, The Stranger on the Bridge, in which a young chap called Jonny Benjamin endeavoured to find the person who had talked him down from jumping off Waterloo Bridge 6 years ago.

A vulnerable young man, he had just been given the devastating news that he was suffering from schizophrenia, a diagnosis which explained the incessant voices in his head but which also completely overwhelmed him, so that he saw no other solution than to plan to take his own life. He went to Waterloo bridge one morning and climbed through the railings, ready to jump, when he was approached by a passerby – who he thought was called Mike – who refused to leave his side, and eventually managed to persuade him to change his mind.

Jonny then spent months and years trying to find his rescuer, an internet campaign went viral and he even had a number of people come forward to say that they were his ‘Mike’. He appeared on national TV to try and find his man, but to no avail. The trail seemed to have gone cold.

But then something wonderful happened and someone noticed Jonny’s campaign, whose fiancé had had a similar experience six years ago, when he was crossing Waterloo Bridge and he had persuaded a young man not to jump. The details seemed to add up and Jonny felt this was his man, even though his name was actually Neil. Their meeting was very moving, Jonny was able to say thank you to Neil, a lovely warm-hearted man and they have remained friends.

Jonny continues to manage his schizophrenia, and is now working to raise awareness for mental health issues.

Sending good wishes to those two lovely men who were brought together on the bridge that day.

Wendy x