Nyx’s diary: out of the shadows

Nyx* is a person with lived experience who currently works for Missing Link. She has agreed to write a regular blog for us and this is her first instalment.

This is my first contribution to the Changing Futures’ blog and I’m hoping there will be many more to come. I will keep this one short, as a little introduction to who I am and why I’m here.

I have been lucky enough to see some of the amazing work that Changing Futures is doing. I first heard of it through work at a team huddle, where the wonderful Alex Collins joined us to explain what they do. I later went to an event he was running, which hosted the voices of some other incredible people with lived experience. The event was filled with people working in different organisations, such as Missing Link, AWP and Second Step. The entire focus was around the importance of coproduction - the need for services to work alongside people with lived experience, to improve how they function. Putting people with lived experience at the centre of this event, showed just how valuable their voices are. It was a reminder to organisations that the experts in their services, are the service users themselves. Their voices need to be heard and Changing Futures is working hard to make sure organisations listen.

The drive behind Changing Futures struck a cord with me because of my experience with serious mental illness. My own history of having been let down by the mental health system is a massive part of my personal story. It therefore comes very naturally to me, to feel passionate about the work being done here. Fast forward a few weeks after that Changing Futures event and I met with my manager and Alex, hoping to get involved. So here I am!

I’d love to use this space to share about mental health; some things I’ve learned, some things I’m still learning and some things that I still have no idea about. It can be a rocky road navigating the world when your mind is a little scary. Sometimes just knowing you’re not the only one is a big comfort. If I’m able to help in some small way through contributing to this blog that would be lush.

They have been super flexible with me, allowing me to contribute at a pace that works with the turn of my brain’s tide. Here’s hoping that going forward, I can contribute regularly and get some thoughts down for people to read!

The single most important point behind anything I contribute is that I am here, I have made it out alive many times. I know mental health recovery is exhausting, but if I can make it, so can you.

Until next time,

Nyx

*Name changed to protect her identity.