ASCND
The Road to respair.
About ASCND.
My name is Nick Frendo. I have a history of mental health issues and I use this platform to help me document and share my experiences.
My experience taught me how important it is to open up and talk. In 2017 I attempted suicide twice. I isolated myself, ran away and put a mask on to hide behind. I didn’t want anyone to know what I was going through, I thought it made me look weak and I felt ashamed. I’ve battled with depression and also been diagnosed bi-polar. After a relapse in 2022 and being taken into care I took a some time off to recover and figure myself out. I’m happy to report that I’ve learned a lot about myself and I’m currently in a good place and stable.
I started ASCND to help raise money for charity and share stories and experiences from others. ASCND to me describes a journey, wanting to grow and rise above. If you take the time to read the journal, listen to some of the podcasts or visit the gallery you’ll see the changes and hopefully progress I’ve made. Some of the acceptance, periods of total despair and hopefully a return to form. ASCND is my Road to Respair.
The Journal has a number of posts from myself and others. Cycling has provided me with ways of connecting with people, but also to helps me “escape”. I find peace in being out on my bike. Solo bike packing trips have become a way of practicing solitude and mindfulness and a couple of escapes a year to help reset have proved invaluable I use the photo journal as a way of sharing what I do and where I’ve been. I find photography as helpful as cycling as way of finding balance and giving myself some focus.
RESPAIR . The OED has “respair”, both as a noun and verb, meaning the return of hope after a period of despair.
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Support
Fundraising
I’ve supported a number of charities including TNN and Movember. Between 2018 and 2022 I raised nearly £50,000 using rides and merch to help and deliver Mental Health First Aid courses.
Journals
I’ll share our stories and adventures here. I’ll aim to share as much as possible from people with different experiences and with different views. Cycling has in some way helped all of us and brought us together. If you would like to be featured or contribute send me an email
Useful Links
Globally, every minute, a man dies by suicide. In the United Kingdom, 75% of suicides are men. I was almost one of them.
Worried about a friend or relative SPOT THE SIGNS
Provides information on services available for anyone concerned with mental health problems.
Provides information and support to make sure no-one has to face a mental health problem alone through a infoline and text service.
Seeks to prevent male suicide offering support to men in the UK, of any age, who are down or in crisis via their helpline and website.
The New Normal is a project connecting young adults to help and support one another through life’s difficult moments.
Samaritans is a registered charity aimed at providing emotional support to anyone in emotional distress, struggling to cope, or at risk of suicide throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland.
EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION
To speak with someone immediately, contact Samaritans on 116 123.
If life is in danger, call 999 or go directly to emergency services.