CWU Conference A Mental Health Recovery Of 35 Years

With Conference taking place during this year's Mental Health Week, and in recognising the need to reject the assumptions of ignorance around mental health, and the stigma that still faces those with mental health illness; CWU's Kate Hudson National Officer Head of Equality, Education and Development, introduced a special guest speaker with his presentation on his life as a person with schizophrenia.

 

Andrew Voyce spoke of his diagnosis of Schizophrenia, his fall from university to homelessness and prison to an Open University Degree, and now living a full and valuable life, of which he is very proud. His support for mental health sufferers culminated in him working as a support worker and in fact as a mental health support worker in a mental health hospital.

His presentation not only covered his life, but also addressed the stigma associated with mental health illness, giving the example of the fact that even celebrities are not safe from tabloid press disrespect for those suffering one of the worst forms of illness that anyone can suffer from.

 

It takes a very brave person to discuss, what is a very personal and much misunderstood illness; in relation to physicsal illness.

 

Andrews presentation of his remarkable life is open and honest and an example of a life's journey from illness to recovery and being successfully able to live with his mental health condition; ensuring he has the control, medication and support necessary:

 

Source: CWU