Struggling with my own mental health for decades has led me to becoming a health researcher. I've found that through art we can talk about ourselves using abstract concepts and be universally understood.
I have the enormous privilege of being part of the stellar Healing Justice London (HJL) Justice and Pembroke House team and together we are researching the health, belonging and wellbeing needs of local Walworth residents, so we can co-create a social model for health.
It strikes me that we don't ask each other what we need to be well and we need to ask in so many different ways to the widest cross-section of our population possible. I am so grateful to be part of a team that operates from the ethics of care and inclusion.
I met the most insightful 14 year old Muslim girl of African descent, who reminded us all to look inward for peace, happiness and mental wellbeing. She also reminded us that it doesn't matter what people see when they look at you, it's what you see and search for that matters.
How can we support each other to be well? Contact me if you're curious to start these conversations.