Expertise

• Bi-polar
• Time to change Wales
• Volunteering
• Anxiety
• Depression

I was recruited after completing an Expression of Interest form for the National Member Volunteer role in April 2021 and I was offered a Co-opted Member Role in May 2021

I have used various mental health services in Cardiff over many years since the late 1990s, starting with NHS 6 week counselling by referral from GP on a number of different occasions with varying degrees of success, South East CMHT at Links Centre in the Old CRI Buildings, work based counselling and support via university services, CAMHS at St David’s, Primary Mental Health Support Service (PMHSS) via a Stress control course via https://www.stepiau.org/en/stress-control

As I said in a video for TTCW – “I think of myself as a normal, everyday kind of bloke, but when things outside my control broke my world apart, I became anxious and depressed. I felt ashamed that I couldn’t cope, so talking about it was the bravest thing I ever did. Talking was a lifeline. Together with time and medication it put me back on track.” You can see it on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGQMag_PmK8  

Recently the Facebook peer support group Let’s Talk Men’s Mental Health has been particularly helpful whereas the NHS online service SilverCloud less so. But different things work for different people at different times depending on their needs and where they are on their journey. 

I hope to help inform Welsh government of the successes and failing in the well-being support and health services of our nation from a user perspective.