St Neots hub helps volunteer gain self-esteem for first time 'in decades'
Debs Gray hopes to use her own mental health experience to help others
A volunteer who's suffered with her own mental health issues says she's now trying to look forward rather than back.
It was around 2016 when Debs Gray started to feel the impact of past traumas catching up with her, having also lost her job in the NHS.
"From 2016, significant personal events triggered panic attacks which brought on anxiety," Debs said.
"It's something I hadn't experienced, it was the low mood, but living with anxiety and trying to leave the house, access everyday life, it's really suppressive."
Looking for a place to turn to, Debs found the Citizen Hub in St Neots around nine months ago, which aims to provide support and guidance, as well as a sense of belonging for people in need.
Debs is a wellness lead at the Hub and believes it has given her a new sense of purpose.
"Living with a history of anxiety and depression, I can sometimes feel that darkness," she said.
"Being here and just be a listening ear for people to come and talk, I have confidence and self-esteem I've not had probably in decades.
"I'm doing things now that I would never thought I'd have done before."
Mental health strategy
The Citizen Hub is teaming up with Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and South Lincolnshire (CPSL) Mind this week to get more of us talking about our mental health and tackle the stigma around opening up as part of its 'moments of joy' campaign.
By running the campaign, CPSL Mind - which supports around 8,000 people a year - hopes others can find enjoyment by doing different activities throughout the week, such as craft sessions and wellbeing walks.
“We have been working collaboratively with the Citizen Hub since we launched our Side By Side podcast together on Time to Talk Day," Ashley Bunn, chief executive at CPSL Mind, said.
"Working in collaboration to support the wellbeing of our communities has never been more important."
Mental health experts, clinicians and frontline workers are being invited to share their views on how mental health care for children and adults in England can be improved as part of a new strategy.
The cross-government Mental Health Strategy aims to drive a shift towards prevention by treating people earlier and faster, as well as supporting those with mental health conditions to live a full life.
The Government says it's hit its target of hiring an extra 8,500 mental health workers thee years ahead of schedule, with NHS mental health spending set to reach a record £16.1 billion.
Stigma
Debs believes she is now living well with anxiety and depression and knows how to see the signs.
She feels the stigma of talking about mental health is improving, but thinks it can improve.
"It's up to us to keep shouting about mental health and it's okay to talk and there are always people you can talk to," she added.
"We have seen it get easier for people, but I think it's that feeling of safety; people need to feel safe before they're brave enough to say what they're really experiencing.
"To be on the other side and read somebody and ask twice if they're okay, they might not be ready to talk then, but that will stick with them."