It's been a privilege to contribute to West Sussex Mind's new strategy and I know from first-hand experience how important its aims really are.
I've experienced obsessive-compulsive disorder, and associated anxiety and depression, since childhood. At first I didn't realise – and then I didn't want to admit – that I had a mental health condition, because I didn't want to be judged. Not feeling I could be open only made my situation worse, leading me to isolate myself and withdraw into my own OCD-controlled world.
The breakthrough came when my GP referred me to a mental health worker at West Sussex Mind. This connected me to other services available through the charity, including discussion groups, where I could share my experience in a safe and non-judgemental environment.
Knowing that you aren't alone, and there are others who can empathise with you from their own experience, helps immensely to reduce the isolation that mental illness can cause. Since then, I've trained with West Sussex Mind to become a peer volunteer and support others who are struggling with their mental health.
Valuing the voice of lived experience
It was a pleasure to be invited to one of West Sussex Mind's strategy roadshows last year. Listening to people who benefit from the charity's support ensures that its strategy includes what's important to people with lived experience of mental health conditions and, importantly, it reflects the charity's values of working together and learning from each other. I felt a sense of achievement being able to contribute to the strategy and I felt that my voice, and every voice, counts.
