World Mental Health Day 2026: Real voices, real change
Everything we do as a mental health trust is to deliver the best care and outcomes, but this wouldn’t be possible without listening to and sharing the voices of those with lived experience of mental health difficulties.
Hearing other people’s stories and experiences can be help reassure and remind us that we’re not alone in what we’re going through. Sharing stories can create connection, it can normalise experiences and challenge stigma, provide hope and even help people make sense of their own experiences.
To mark World Mental Health Day, we’re sharing some of the stories from our staff, service users and peer support workers to talk openly about mental health.
Tahira’s story: Post partum mental health difficulties and using electroconvulsive therapy
Tahira was a patient at our Mother and Baby Unit at Bethlem Royal Hospital. She was under a mental health section after experiencing several mental health symptoms shortly after giving birth to her son.
During her time at the Trust, Tahira underwent a course of electroconvulsive therapy in addition to other support options.
Talking about her experience, she said: “It played a big part. I don’t know how big, and I don’t know if it was a combination of time, and medication but, it has made an impact on my recovery with medication keeping me topped up.
“Now I’m feeling a lot better than I did before. It’s not something I’d want to go through again but I’m glad I went through it.”
Abbygirl’s story: Becoming a peer support worker to help other struggling with addiction
We spoke to Abbygirl, a previous service user of the Trust and volunteer peer support worker about her journey with mental health and addiction.
Since working with our dual diagnosis team in Lewisham, she is now supporting people who are in similar situations to her own, using her lived experience expertise.
“I now have a relationship with myself. I didn’t know who I was and I was so numb to my emotions with all the substances I was using,” said Abbygirl. “Now that I’m sober, I’m able to practice the tools I’ve learnt from therapy – I couldn’t take that in when I was in the active addiction, the madness I call it.”
Marie’s story: Finding practical tools through Talking Therapies
Marie completed 12 sessions of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to help her feel at ease and supported during difficult times.
Despite being initially hesitant, Marie shares how the therapy helped to shift her perspective and give her the tools to support herself.
Her story offers valuable insight into the impact of therapy and the importance of seeking help when struggling.
Hector's story: Using lived experience to help others
Hector is a volunteer who joined the programme as part of his own mental health recovery journey.
He volunteers once a week on our wards to coordinate activities such as crafting, painting, board games, writing post cards, playing instruments and more. He spends his time keeping service users’ company, listening to their experiences and
Hector said: “Volunteering inspires me to find more ways to improve care and has fuelled my passion to go further in that field. I gained the confidence and purpose I needed to continue my life after years of struggle.
“To anyone thinking about volunteering, I would tell them to be patient, kind, generous and curious, without realising one is rewarded with a stronger compassionate heart and a wider understanding of what it means to be alive.”
We regularly share stories from our patients, service users, staff and partners on our YouTube playlist: Our Stories
If you have a story you would like to tell either in writing or on video, please email communications@slam.nhs.uk
Help in a crisis
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts, please remember you are not alone and help is available. Please see our support on getting help in a crisis: How to get help in a mental health crisis