So a little bit about the two of us.
We are friends and midwives, both who have lived experiences of mental illness.
We first met though work. I (Lis), was new to the hospital I needed someone to vent to, and Lottie was in the right (or wrong) Place at the right time!
When covid hit, Lottie was pregnant and I was shielding so we were both off work and became even closer, sharing our experiences.
Since then, Lottie has had a beautiful baby girl and been heavily involved in the local perinatal mental health team, and I have been under my local community mental health team, and had a few weeks inpatient care.
We have both experienced some of the best (and occasionally the worst) of mental health care, and have got years of lived experience between us.
What has stood out to us, is the power of shared experience. Mental illnesses, in all their many forms, has a very common element of making you feel as if you are alone and abnormal for having the thoughts you are experiencing.
By talking about our experiences, we have been able to share support and coping mechanisms, and encourage each other in accessing the necessary support.
We are by no means mental health professionals, nor do we claim to have all (if any) of the answers.
We are both figuring this out as we go along, and hoping that in sharing our stories, experiences, successes and (often comical) failures, we might help someone to realise that they aren't alone, and that there is such a wide range of support available, both peer and professional.