Shaking hands, a dry mouth and a heart rate soaring through the roof along with a sense of not being in control are just some of the symptoms that can overwhelm you when having a panic attack.

Linked to mental health, it’s something that is talked about more regularly in society, but actually being able to talk about your own issues while not fearing other people’s opinions is a whole lot easier said than done.

Adam Hudgeon, however, is urging people to confront those fears and is offering a listening ear free from judgement.

After going through a tough year of anxiety attacks himself, which left him trapped in his own home, the 27-year-old reached out to the public and is now in the process of setting up a charity.

’It’s about speaking about what’s going on and getting it out there,’ he said.

It was announced this year by a Tynwald select committee that people are having to wait around a year to see mental health professional. The charity, REACH IOM, will act as a bridge for those on the waiting list.

Both Adam and Luke Adebiyi, who is a mental health ambassador for Lloyds bank in terms of workplace help are working tirelessly on REACH IOM - Reflect, Embrace And Create Hope, which has received help from MLCs David Cretney and Tanya Marie August-Hanson.

’Luke’s doing a conference on mental health and will be talking with Prince Harry. He’s unbelievably helpful and has such a big heart. Every moment he’s messaging me with ideas,’ said Adam.

It’s hoped that a small hub will be opened up for all ages and backgrounds where conversations can be had over cups of tea. A phone number will also be available to ring.

’We can sit there and talk freely. You can hear my story and if this relates to you and helps ease that 12-18 month wait to see a psychologist for you, then we’ve done what we’ve come here to do,’ he said.

’We’re not there to give advice - we’re not professionals in white coats.’

There are plans to help fund private care for those who really need it and to create a podcast where mental health professionals will be invited in to answer important questions and sufferers will be able to share their own stories to give ’a wealth of knowledge’ for the public on the topic.

’We’re trying to kill the stigma and we’re trying to do that slowly,’ he said.

These efforts have largely stemmed from Adam’s own experience, which has called him to immediate action as he realises how desperate the situation can be.

He said: ’In January 2018 I had my first panic attack.

’I woke up normal, had my coffee and went to the gym at 6am as I usually did, but I felt really tired like when you sometimes come down with something you feel groggy.

’I wasn’t interested in being there so I had a shower early and headed to work. I went to have lunch and fell asleep on the couch at work which I never really do.

’I thought: "I need to go home, I feel really ill". I was on my way to get my little boy, Grayson, aged eight, and thought: "I need to go home and get to bed", but needed to keep him company.

’I decided to have a bath when he was playing Play Station. I went in the bath and I just felt dead.’

Leaving the bath and sitting down, Adam described a ’completely deafening’ ringing sound starting in his ears.

’My heart rate went through the roof and I was shaking uncontrollably.

’My mum came downstairs and said: "Oh my God, what’s happening?". My mouth had gone dry so I couldn’t speak.’

The ambulance was called and paramedics soon arrived and began fitting heart monitors while calming Adam down.

’Getting to the hospital they said: "You’ve had a panic attack and you need to see a GP", and just released me.

’I was left thinking: "What has just happened in my life?" and didn’t want to go home - I was so scared.

’They didn’t have a mental health nurse come and speak to me, no tablets or anything.’

In the three weeks that followed Adam didn’t leave his home. He was ’too scared’ another panic attack would happen in front of friends, strangers, or worse, his son.

’I felt like a skeleton,’ he continued. ’I had no energy to do anything.’

What stumped him was that the GP said it was to do with mental health, despite the symptoms being very physical.

’There’s nothing wrong with my life,’ he said. ’Being told it’s not a physical problem, it’s in your head... I just couldn’t understand that.’

Continuing in the belief that it wasn’t to do with mental health, Adam suffered more attacks which kept him from leaving his house as he was unaware of what was triggering them.

’I was scared to sit next to my son in case it happened and he wouldn’t know what to do. That was the worst part.

’Once I started to believe that my doctor was spot on - it was to do with mental health - I reached out to someone who had struggled in the past and was happy to talk about it.’

He then opened up to his mates, which he described as having like a weight being lifted off his shoulders.

’It’s a bigger stigma here than in the UK.

’I come from a well-known football family and the football community is very tight.

’The last thing I wanted was to go and open up and have all those lads thinking I’m a wimp.

’It’s only since I’ve done it that I’ve realised how warm the Manx people are.’

This led to him writing a public statement on Facebook explaining what he had been through and that he wanted to be there for someone who was either on a waiting list or wanted more than a five minute chat with their GP.

’I’m doing this because I would of loved someone to be there to talk me through what I was going through because they had experienced it all too,’ the post read.

Since then, Adam’s received more than 250 private messages, some from as far as Australia, from people wanting to talk.

’Eighteen months can be a matter of life or death for some people,’ he added.

â?¢ The Social Affairs Policy Review Committee is conducting an inquiry into the topic of suicide. This month it has heard evidence from experts and charity members.

Tomorrow (Friday) it will hear from Bill Henderson MLC in the Legislative Buildings, Douglas, at 2.30pm.

The committee is chaired by David Cretney MLC and comprises MHKs Martyn Perkins and Julie Edge.