Kai Leighton, 21, founded The Mental Shift to support young men who find themselves in a similar position to him
Kai Leighton, 21, who founded The Mental Shift to support young men with their mental health(Image: The Mental Shift – Reece James)
A man from Newcastle is using the experience of his own mental health struggles to help others, through martial arts training. Kai Leighton, 21, founded The Mental Shift to support young men who find themselves in a similar position to him.
The community interest company, founded in November 2022, aims to improve the lives of the young men it supports through its community Muay Thai training, and workshops delivered in schools. This is very important to Kai, as his mental health declined during his years in education.
He said: “I struggled with my mental health massively in school, I was fine in year seven, but it was part way through year eight, after Christmas, that things completely changed. I went from being well-behaved to getting into trouble all the time, and I was really struggling with depression and anxiety.
“When I was 15, in year 10, I tried to take my own life, after trying to deal with suicidal thoughts and self harm for a long time, but not getting the help that I needed. I was told I was a sociopath, and I tried everything to improve the way that I felt but nothing seemed to be working.
“My mam tried to help, but I told everyone it was a phase and that it would pass, which I knew at the time wasn’t true. I was on the waiting list for support and felt guilty, having a mental breakdown at school at 16, and continuing to struggle into my time at college.”
Kai Leighton, 21, who founded The Mental Shift to support young men with their mental health(Image: The Mental Shift – Reece James)
However, it was a conversation with an adult psychiatrist while Kai was in hospital recovering from his ordeal that struck a chord with him several years later. His passion for helping people, something which he says has “always existed”, is now being put to the noblest of uses.
He continued: “The psychiatrist asked me what I was passionate about, and when I said it was helping people, he told me to ‘use my story to help others’ and that always stayed with me. Looking back on it, I wanted to support young men in my position, and incorporate exercise into it, so I found Northern King Muay Thai gym and it was a perfect fit.
“The initial plan was to chronicle my journey of martial arts turning my life around, and I went from 120kg in January 2022 when I started, to having my first fight the following December, weighing in at 78kg. I knew I always wanted to help people, and my new love of Muay Thai felt like the best way to do it.
“I have always stuck with it ever since, and I’m constantly around the sport, always training in a gym and using it as part of The Mental Shift. I also have to credit my mam massively for instilling the desire to help people into me, as she has always cared for people, and is a huge inspiration.”
Since it was founded in November 2022, The Mental Shift has gone from strength to strength, going from just Kai to having a team of people involved, and supporting over 3,500 young men since it began. It is currently at capacity, working with 50 people across the Newcastle area, and Kai has reflected on the journey to get to this point.
The Mental Shift, which supports young men with their mental health through martial arts(Image: The Mental Shift – Reece James)
He also said: “I had no experience running a company or anything like that, but had the passion, and have had advice from great people like Matthew Smith from If You Care Share, and support from my partner Reece and the whole team here. I’m now confident in what I am doing, but I’m also constantly learning new ways to help people.
“We have started a project in Leeds called Inside the Cage, so being able to support people in a wider area is amazing, and I just want to help as many people as possible. As anyone else involved with a cic or charity will know, we are underfunded, and the demand is high, so any support is appreciated.
“Looking ahead to the future, we want to hire more people to support those in need, and continue our policy of not having a waiting list, so everyone can access support immediately. Very long term, I want The Mental Shift to help as many people as possible on a national level, giving them the crucial intervention that I didn’t have.”
If you would like to find out more about the incredible work that The Mental Shift does to support young men and improve their mental health in the North East, you can find the organisation’s website and social media links here.
How to access support if you need it
If this piece has affected you and you want to talk to someone, there are helplines and support groups available, many of them 24/7.
The NHS Choices website lists the following helplines and support networks for people to talk to.
Samaritans (116 123 in UK and Ireland) operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year. If you prefer to write down how you’re feeling, or if you’re worried about being overheard on the phone, you can email Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org.Childline (0800 1111) runs a helpline for children and young people in the UK. Calls are free and the number won’t show up on your phone bill.PAPYRUS (0800 068 41 41) is a voluntary organisation supporting teenagers and young adults who are feeling suicidal.Mind (0300 123 3393) is a charity based in England providing advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.Students Against Depression is a website for students who are depressed, have a low mood or are having suicidal thoughts.Bullying UK is a website for both children and adults affected by bullying.If U Care Share is a suicide prevention and postvention support charity. For free confidential text support text IUCS to 85258.James’ Place provide free, life-saving treatment for suicidal men, and those identifying as male, in the North East. Men can refer themselves or be referred by a professional including those working in health and community services, or by a friend or family member.
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