From personal experience of anxiety, depression and OCD, starting when I was at university, I learnt how critical it is to have a supportive network of friends and family, secure personal circumstances, and access to good treatment.
After finishing my studies – in Politics and Philosophy, followed by a master’s in Globalisation and Development – I got a job as a researcher for an MP who chaired a cross-party group of MPs and Peers sharing a common interest in mental health.
The combination of these experiences inspired me to pursue a career in mental health. I went on to work in policy and campaigns at the charity Mind, managing a team focused on the social side of mental health – including issues around benefits, debt and employment.
Although I really enjoyed this work, I decided to join Think Ahead because I wanted to directly support people with mental health problems, see the impact my work has on their daily lives, and promote a social model of mental health in frontline services.
Through my work in policy I had seen how important social factors are in people developing, and recovering from, mental health problems. They’re often at the forefront of people’s minds, and when addressed they can significantly improve their mental health.
This is why becoming a mental health social worker with Think Ahead seemed like the perfect fit for me – it’s a movement I’m really excited to be a part of!