"Mental Health Services"

I am in my fifties and have experienced mental difficulties on and off all my adult life.

I would like to praise Rose Ward at Queen Marys for providing a sanctuary for women only. Although no therapy took place there, the staff were supportive and kind.

I live in Sutton and cannot praise the mental health services enough.

I have seen a psychiatrist, I have a care coordinator, I have seen a psychologist for series of CBT sessions and probably most importantly I attended the Recovery College for a number of courses.

The Recovery College is a revolutionary idea within the NHS in that it doesn’t treat you as a patient or as your diagnosis.

It promotes taking responsibility for your own wellbeing and recovery. It works on giving you a toolbox full of ideas and techniques to use.

You also meet people on the courses who are also learning how to deal with their own mental health issues.

The variety of courses is extensive. The courses are led by a professional trainer and a peer trainer who has lived experience. So it isn’t just theory and academic knowledge but real first hand experience and viewpoints.

I have spoken with other course attendees who have also found the courses very useful.

Please continue to fund the Recovery College it is a brilliant use of funds as it reduces mental health problems in the present and potentially reduces further problems in the future. 

Give someone a fish you feed them for a day. Teach someone to fish you feed them for life.