“THIS petition means the world to me, and I say to people by signing the petition, you’re helping to prevent suicides – you are helping to save a life.”

Those are the words of mental health campaigner John Junior – known to many via John and Charlie’s Journey – as they launch a petition make dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT) more widely available on the NHS.

The Wilmslow resident, who has lived with borderline personality disorder for more than 20 years, says this life-altering therapy would not only change their world but also help thousands of others across the UK.

DBT is a talking therapy, based on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), but adapted for people who feel emotions very intensely. 

It aims to help people like John – a suicide and abuse survivor who describes their condition as a daily emotional rollercoaster – to understand and accept their difficult feelings and learn skills to manage them.

The 31-year-old, who is genderfluid and uses the pronouns they/them, says they have been struggling to get DBT therapy as it isn’t funded in Cheshire East. 


Although is available privately, at a cost of around £150 per hour it’s not a viable option for them, and many others in their situation.

John said: “Many people find that accessing DBT can be very difficult. It isn’t available everywhere in the UK, and NHS waiting lists are very long. You can pay privately for DBT but not everyone can afford to do that. 

“Through John and Charlie’s Journey, I have spoken to thousands of other people with borderline personality disorder or eating disorders who are also suffering alone with no therapy as DBT is not available in their area.”

“It’s a therapy to help people regulate emotions better, and it’s a potential lifesaver for so many people.”

In addition to launching the petition and offering support and advice via their social media platforms, John has also been busy channelling their energy into music, writing songs connected to their condition which have resonated with scores of online followers.

John, who is due to speak with Tatton MP Esther McVey to discuss their DBT campaign this week, said: “It’s been a great creative outlet and I’ve had a very positive response.

The song Inside a DBT Mind is about borderline personality disorder. A lot of people have said they really connect to the lyrics and relate to what I am talking about in it.

“There is also a message at the end of the song which is that there is hope, and it’s called DBT.”

The link for John’s petition is change.org/dbtherapy4everyone, their music can be heard at soundcloud.com/johnandcharliesjourney and more information and advice is available at johnandcharlie.co.uk or via Instagram at johnandcharlie_