An artist was so moved by the Evening Standard’s Homeless Veterans campaign that he has spoken about his own experience of how easily life can slip into crisis.
Mike Snelle, one half of the Connor Brothers artists, said he has seen at first hand how quickly people’s lives can unravel.
He said: “For most of us it’s hard to imagine becoming homeless. But I know from experience that crisis can strike anyone.”
Two years ago Mr Snelle had all the outward trappings of success but was “spiralling out of control” inside. He felt worthless, stopped eating, stopped answering his phone and became suicidal.
It was a chance phone call one night from Mr Golding, his friend and partner in the Connor Brothers, that saved his life. He encouraged Mr Snelle to seek help and he was diagnosed as bipolar and prescribed mood stabilizing medication.
Mr Golding had himself suffered four years of heroin addiction that almost claimed his life, so was uniquely placed to help him.
Mr Snelle said: “That period of crisis taught me how easily life can become overwhelming, and how fragile a seemingly stable existence really is.
“For those who don’t find the help they need, the consequences can be catastrophic. For many, homelessness follows. Often this is compounded by addiction or mental health issues, which either contribute to someone becoming homeless, or occur as a result of it.”
He urged people not to think of homeless people as being “different”, adding: “They are ordinary people who have suffered periods of crisis and deserve treating with compassion and dignity.”
Praising the campaign, Mr Snelle said: “What the Evening Standard’s Homeless Veterans Appeal has done brilliantly is to bring to life the personal stories behind the statistics: the stories of people who have served in the Armed Forces, and fallen on difficult times.
“It’s shown us that there is no such thing as a stereotypical homeless person. Each person living on the streets has a unique life history, unique challenges to overcomes, and unique gifts to offer.”
The Evening Standard campaign is raising money for two military charities, Veterans Aid and ABF The Soldiers’ Charity.
Mr Snelle said: “I know from experience how easily life can become overwhelming, and how circumstances can conspire with disastrous consequences, which is why I have been so moved by the Appeal.
“I know that what people need in periods of extreme vulnerability is non-judgmental, practical and compassionate support.
The Homeless Veterans Appeal, which funds the important work of ABF The Soldiers Charity and Veterans Aid, will, quite literally, save lives.”
For more on the appeal visit this link homelessveterans.co.uk/
