The world is such a scary place when you are mentally ill. The feeling of prejudice hangs heavily in the air. Politics, the news, media, history all contain a severe lack of understanding that can drive you mad. This is why I have always been loud and proud of my own mental health struggles, happy to talk to anyone who wants to hear my story or share their own, to fight against those who don’t want to listen.
Being on placement at Sheffield Flourish has showed me that there are great people out there, people who get it. People who take the time and care to think about people’s needs, to learn and understand how someone might be suffering and how to make a space that feels welcoming and inclusive. Reading all the incredible feedback and seeing the smiles that the charity puts on people’s faces has meant a lot to me. I have never felt so proud to be a part of a team quite like I have during my placement here. It has felt like every bit of work, no matter how big or small, has been important and has contributed to something great. I have formed so many valuable friendships, not just with staff but also members, and I have heard so many inspiring stories that will stay with me forever.
The main reason that I want to work in mental health is simple; I just want to help those who are like me. Sheffield Flourish has given me an incredible opportunity to find out how I may want to achieve this by letting me get involved in everything I could, from supporting the Oasis Gardening group to shadowing Lisa on psychiatric wards. These are very valuable experiences that will help me drive my university studies in the right direction.
I’m very sad that my placement is ending, and I am very grateful to have been a part of Sheffield Flourish for the duration. However, this will not be the last you’ll see of me! Here’s to a brighter future for mental health.
