Enfield man founds support group after dissociative episode

Chris Clarke has established a new community support group in Enfield for individuals struggling with overwhelming experiences, following his own dissociative episode that led him to go missing for 27 hours. Clarke experienced a disconnect from his thoughts, memories, and surroundings during the incident, which fundamentally altered his life. He found that information and support available after his diagnosis were insufficient, prompting him to create the organisation he wished had existed for himself.

Understanding Dissociation

Dissociation is described as a mental process where individuals can become disconnected from their thoughts, memories, surroundings, or sense of time and reality. It can serve as a coping mechanism when life feels overwhelming, leaving a person feeling not fully present. Clarke experienced this in 2023 while cycling, with his sense of time and reality becoming fundamentally altered. He remembers only about 15 minutes of the 27 hours he was missing, a period that was terrifying for his family.

After being found by a police officer, Clarke was diagnosed with dissociation. However, he reported that little was explained to him about the condition, and he had to research it himself. He also found that he did not fit neatly into existing mental health service categories, feeling lost, lonely, and confused. The experience led him to withdraw from people and keep busy to avoid confronting his thoughts.

Formation of the 27 Community

In response to the lack of suitable support, Clarke founded the 27 Community. The organisation aims to create safe spaces for people to connect, talk, or simply be in the company of others who understand overwhelming experiences. The group offers 'Walk and Talk' events held monthly at Forty Hall Estate in Enfield, chosen for its grounds offering a respite from daily intensity. Additionally, monthly group sessions take place on the last Tuesday of each month at Enfield Town Library.

Clarke has emphasised that a diagnosis is not required to attend, and participants do not need to speak. The 27 Community is designed with the understanding that individuals need to join at their own pace, without pressure to explain themselves. Clarke himself identifies as a member of the community rather than solely its facilitator, acknowledging that the group also aids his own learning and experience.

The initiative turns lived experience into knowledge, connection, and action, providing a space where individuals may not feel as isolated as Clarke did. The invitation from the 27 Community is that people do not need to explain everything or have the right words; they simply need to know they are not alone.