Singer who lost mum to mental health holding concert for Mind

Cat Ogden endured a 'complicated' childhood, living in 11 homes between the ages of seven and 13, as her mum Shelley struggled with depression and alcoholism.

With little support, Shelley succumbed at the age of 47 following complications from her alcoholism.

Now 31, and following mental health struggles of her own, Cat has worked her way to become the singing and musical director of the Northwich Sing Space Musical Theatre Choir.

And next month she is holding a concert in aid of charity Mind, which offers mental health support - something she believes could have helped her mum survive.

Cat said: "I had quite a complicated childhood. Just before I was 13, my dad got custody of me.

Cat Ogden (Image: James Melia)

"Not long after, my mum died due to complications from her alcoholism.

"I think, if my mum was around, she would be pleased that I took something so negative and turned it into something good.

"She may have got the help she needed these days. Due to her condition, she just couldn’t be a mum, and there just wasn’t the support in those days that there is now.

"When you were an alcoholic back then, you wouldn't be given mental health support until you weren’t an alcoholic, but that just isn’t how mental health works.

"I like to think if she were still alive, she would have got more support today, and Mind is part of that."

The concert, being held at The Grange Theatre in Hartford on July 22, will feature Cat's musical theatre choir and West End performers who’ve starred in shows such as Pretty Woman and Once, as well as songs from Cat herself.

The songs will be exclusively from musicals throughout the night, with all profits from the evening will go to Mind charity.

Cat, who also teaches from her home studio in Winsford, has gone on to reach the grand final of a national singing competition, coach singers professionally, and become a mum-of-two herself.

She believes singing has played a big part in her becoming the successful woman she is today.

"When you look at genetics with my mum being an alcoholic and the things that happened as a child, I hit nine out of 10 precursors for being someone who would just not be a functional member of society," she added.

Northwich Singspace Musical Theatre Choir (Image: Cat Ogden)

"I have worked on my mental health though and prepared my children by teaching them how to deal with mental health from a young age, so if they ever struggle, they know what to do.

“While I’m still an anxious person, because of years of therapy and my singing I believe I’ve been able to overcome this. Sometimes my anxiety is even a benefit as I’m so anxious to perform well!

"Singing has a lot of mental health benefits, I’m a big proponent of that."

Tickets for the concert are available at thegrangetheatre.com/anightofmusicals. A discount code 'singspace10' is also on offer to get 10 per cent off.