Yvonne's story

 

Yvonne had a full social life and lots of friends. But then she started having difficulties – mood swings and confusion. She was diagnosed with schizo-affective disorder.

A few good friends stuck by her side but many others disappeared, and that was very hard to deal with. "One time I saw a friend in the street and she wouldn't even look at me, she crossed the street. That was hurtful." Yvonne says "I'm well now, doing a job I love and I'm happy. My friends who stood by me – I don't know what I would have done without them."

In her film "Experience, Strength and Hope" (see the below video) Yvonne talks about how her negative experience of mental health services as a black gay woman inspired her to challenge mental health discrimination through her work. Yvonne would like to dedicate this film to her son and her mum.