John Junior

John Junior (born 4 October 1988), known as John and Charlie's Journey is a British mental health activist, rapper, actor and vlogger. In November 2019 he created the movement "John and Charlie's Journey".[1][2] The purpose of the movement is to raise awareness of suicide, domestic abuse and mental illness. The movement caught the attention of celebrities and received media coverage. John and Charlie was invited on stage by Keith Duffy and Brian McFadden during their Boyzlife concert in February 2020.[3][4] After the Boyzlife concert, Tanya Bardsley approached John to create a wellness hub.[5][1]

John and Charlie's Journey
Junior in 2020
Background information
Birth nameJohn Junior
Born (1988-10-04) 4 October 1988
Wilmslow, Cheshire, England
GenresBritish hip hop
Occupation(s)
  • Mental health activist
  • rapper
  • actor
  • vlogger
Years active2019-present
Websitewww.johnandcharlie.co.uk

Background

Junior was born with Klienfelters Syndrome and began having mental health problems at the age of 11, when he started experiencing low mood and confusion about his gender identity.[1]

Activism

In 2019, Junior started vlogging about his experiences of mental health issues on Instagram in order "to reach out to others with mental health difficulties".[1] In May 2020 his vlogs on Instagram caught the attention of UNILAD, who approached Junior to test Samaritans self-help app during mental health awareness week.[6] UNILAD approached Junior and Jack Garrett about their mental health struggles to help raise awareness for world suicide prevention day on 10 September 2020.[2]

In September 2020 the "DBT for all campaign" was created to make dialectical behaviour therapy, used to treat children, teenagers and adults who are suicidal and have self-destructive behaviours, more widely available on the NHS throughout the United Kingdom. Supporting the campaign is Esther McVey, conservative MP for Tatton, who has applied for parliamentary debate at Westminster Hall.[7][8]

In October 2020, Junior started a campaign for the British government to fund billboards to sign post people to safety who are struggling with mental health throughout the coronavirus pandemic.[9]

John and Charlie's Journey Movement

In November 2019, Junior created the movement "John and Charlie's Journey".[2] Junior travels around the United Kingdom with Charlie, a stuffed teddy duck, to encourage people to talk about mental health instead of suffering in silence due to judgement and stigma.[5][4]

In July 2020, the single "inside a bpd mind", was released distributed by DistroKid which is about Junior's experiences with borderline personality disorder to raise awareness of the disorder.[3]

Coronavirus Pandemic & Mental Health

Junior has obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) and says in a video for BBC news, that "lockdown has made his OCD worse ... I have to clean this door handle, until my OCD tells me to stop, otherwise I'm going to die", sharing his vlogs with others in lockdown to help others who are struggling.[10]

Junior planned suicide during the start of the first lockdown, in which watching a storyline on the soap Hollyoaks when Darren Osborne was comforting Nancy Hayton as she was distressed about the news that her partner Kyle Kelly had committed suicide, this resonated with Junior and stopped him from continuing with his suicide plans.[11]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2020 My Mind - Mental Health In Lockdown Writer, Director Filming
2021 Rise of the Footsoldier: Origins - The Tony Tucker Story Football Hooligan Filming

References
  1. Maidment, Adam (2020-06-05). "How John and Charlie are turning mental health trauma into personal success". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 2020-10-02.
  2. "Male Suicide In England And Wales Is At Its Worst In 20 Years, We Need To Talk About It". www.unilad.co.uk. Retrieved 2020-10-02.
  3. "Mental health campaigner launches therapy petition". Knutsford Guardian. Retrieved 2020-10-02.
  4. "'Its Okay Not To Be Okay' | VIVA UK Lifestyle Magazine". UK Lifestyle Magazine | VIVA Manchester. 2020-03-04. Retrieved 2020-10-02.
  5. Fitzpatrick, Katie (2020-02-22). "Real Housewives star is launching a wellness hub after battling anxiety". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 2020-10-02.
  6. "Samaritans Self-Help App Prevented This Person From Self-Harming". www.unilad.co.uk. Retrieved 2020-10-02.
  7. "MP supports mental health activist's bid for parliamentary debate". Knutsford Guardian. Retrieved 2020-10-02.
  8. "MP to apply for parliamentary debate to support Wilmslow mental health campaigner - wilmslow.co.uk". www.wilmslow.co.uk. Retrieved 2020-10-02.
  9. "Suicide survivor steps up campaign for better mental health awareness". Knutsford Guardian. Retrieved 2020-10-13.
  10. "'My OCD got worse in lockdown'". BBC News. Retrieved 2020-11-24.
  11. "Suicide survivor reflects on life-changing year". Knutsford Guardian. Retrieved 2021-01-15.
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