Laiba is eighteen, lives in east London and is currently studying for her A-levels. She kindly gave up some time to talk about her experience of using CAMHS and how she came to be involved in assisting with a CAMHS professionals recruitment campaign in 2022.
How did you come to be involved in this CAMHS recruitment project, and what you wanted it to achieve, from your own personal point of view?
During our People Participation groups, Alan (CAMHS People Participation worker) had told us about this opportunity and I was interested right from the beginning.
As a service user supporting improvements to services, I had been involved with the interview process for CAMHS professionals so I knew how important this video campaign would be for future candidates to watch.
I also loved the fact it was a video made by young people so it was our voices and I knew how important it would be to show people who are interested in applying to know what matters to young people.
Since making the videos, how do you feel now about the support and help you received from CAMHS?
I have seen and experienced the change in support from CAMHS, after I made this video.
My new therapist who I had got in 2022, after my previous one left the service was honestly remarkable, you could actually see that she was passionate about helping and empowering young people and I know she probably watched the recruitment video because some of the skills we identified in that video really shone through.
I also see that the new staff recruited since have a clear passion and insight for young people.
What advice do you have for any young person that is struggling with their mental health and well-being but doesn't know what to do?
My advice is: firstly be patient with yourself.
As humans we feel a lot of emotions - some of it has an explanation and others don't. And that is okay.
Be kind to yourself and understand yourself so that you can find what works for you. Everyone copes differently and so while some people may want to talk about it others don't.
If you feel like you need support, talk to somebody you trust. Remember to see a rainbow you need a lot of rain! You will find a way to cope better once the right support is allocated. everyone heals differently.
Most people - young or not - will have to face mental health challenges at some point in their lives. Have you learned some useful strategies for coping since engaging with CAMHS that you can share?
Over my last 4 years with Newham CAMHS I have been grateful to have a brilliant family therapy team that remained the same for four years and what they taught me is the importance of being kind to yourself and others.
Sometimes when we are struggling we may be hard on ourselves but my family therapists taught me the importance of self-love.
My individual therapist who I only had for 8 months was an angel in disguise.
She taught me how to put myself first and find self-worth. She used to draw things out for me to see it so I can fully learn to follow through with it.
Finally my last therapist who I only had for 3 months gave me my voice and empowered me to ask for support when I needed it.
My journey at CAMHS is one that I'd say has been a rollercoaster of discovery.
What are your plans for the future now?
I hope to go the University of Manchester in September and study psychology so that I can be a forensic/clinical psychologist. I want to be a symbol of hope for young people that even if things are hard they can get better once the right support is given.