Mental Health Awareness Week - Lucy's blog
The Staff Lived Experience Network has a vision of reducing the stigma of having mental health difficulties for staff within NSFT. To mark Mental Health Awareness Week, network members are sharing personal blogs to raise awareness that people who have faced, or are facing, mental health difficulties can continue to work and lead meaningful lives.
In her blog, Lucy North, People Participation Lead, shares her experience of anxiety and depression.
“My mental health difficulties began when I was a teenager in High School. I began experiencing symptoms of anxiety and depression which at the time I didn’t really understand.
My understanding of mental health back then was limited and I didn’t think I fit the ‘stereotype’ of what someone with mental health difficulties would look like. I came from a good home, had good friends, did well in school – so I simply didn’t think I had anything wrong with me and was in denial for a long time.
Over time, as my symptoms worsened, I began to accept the support that was around me and begin my journey of recovery through the services I now have the privilege to work with.
There have been times where things have worsened for me and of course there have been blips along the way, but I am very grateful for my friends and family, and the staff at NSFT who have cared for me throughout. Thanks to them, I am here today writing this and I have coping strategies to help me through more difficult days.”
Have you experienced worries or stigma at work?
Working in a lived experience role, I have been very fortunate that I have been able to use my experiences to support children, young people and families through their own recovery. At work, I have only ever received support and understanding, and I know that there are people around me that I can talk to if I ever needed it.
My team all have their own lived experience, so I know that they will just get it if I am ever having a tough day, but it is so important to know that the people you work with, regardless of your role, will take the time to listen to you with openness and compassion if there is ever a time you need support.
As someone who has lived experience of mental health issues, could you share how it feels to work in NSFT?
I began working in NSFT as a Peer Support worker in 2020. It was my first role working in mental health so given my own lived experience, I was pretty nervous but also incredibly excited. The fact that there are lived experience roles within our services, and people who have experienced their own mental health recovery can use those experiences to support others is incredible.
Those nerves soon subsided, and I was able to meet like-minded people who showed nothing but support and compassion.
Now working within the participation team, I have the privilege of supporting our service users and carers to share their own lived experience to making meaningful changes to the Trust – something that if you had told 13-year-old Lucy, I never would have believed!
The fact that these roles exist within NSFT to me is testament to the Trust’s commitment to ensuring those with lived experience are supported and are able to have their voice when it comes to the way we deliver services.
What are your top tips for living well with mental health issues?
Talk to the people around you that you trust. For so long, I bottled up the feelings I had and it’s like shaking up a bottle of coke – eventually the top is just going to blow when you hold it all in. Talking for me is like releasing a bit of that fizz every so often to make it the feelings I have more manageable.
Also, remembering to take the time for yourself and getting into a good routine. I can struggle with my sleep, so I have a bath every night with lavender bubble bath, I make sure to put my phone away at least an hour before bed and keep a clean and tidy room.
Finally, I’d say have things to look forward to. Plan to see you friends or family, holidays, even planning some time to read a bit of your favourite book – whatever it is that you like to do. After the lockdowns, me and my friend agreed that every Friday after work we would see each other, even if it’s just for a cuppa and a chat. A couple of weekends ago me and my friend went alpaca walking! You can plan to do anything you enjoy.
What strategies help you at work?
My managers are incredibly supportive and it is really reassuring to know that I can go to them at any time to talk, even if it’s just to debrief at the end of the day. I know they will listen to me without judgement, and they know me well enough to ask, “do you want advice or just a listening ear?”.
We also have an informal Teams chat for our team where we share the things we are up to outside of work but can also reach out for support for non-work related things. On a Thursday afternoon we have half an hour at the end of the day for a wellbeing catch up.
I know that my team will be there for me if I ever need it, and the fact we all look out for each other makes me feel psychologically safe at work.
What advice would you give a friend or colleague on how best to support someone with lived experience of mental health difficulties?
Be open, compassionate and a good listening ear. Check in with your colleagues and see how they are doing and if you think someone isn’t doing okay, ask again how they are doing. It’s really easy to brush things off as “I’m fine” but sometimes that second ask if you are concerned for someone can give them reassurance that you do care and are there if they need it.
Treat others with kindness and give them the time and space they need to talk to you – you might not be able to fix it but sometimes listening is better than trying to give someone advice. And if you have ever been through something similar to them, draw on your own lived experience that supported you through that time. What worked for you might not work for others but you never know, it just might!