Emma's experience as a media volunteer

Stories of inspiration and hope: Emma Harding

Biography

Emma was a student of psychology when she first became unwell with what was later diagnosed as schizophrenia. Since that time, and despite three admissions to hospital, she successfully completed her first degree in social psychology. Emma is now employed as Senior Project Worker in a UK Employment Programme which enables people to find employment within mental health services after suffering from mental ill-health. Emma was awarded a distinction for her Masters degree in Occupational and Organisational psychology.

For the last few years, Emma has been a media volunteer for Rethink, has been featured on British TV and radio as well as in print media and has spoken at conferences throughout Europe. These events were designed to raise awareness of the importance of mental health as well as the impact of mental ill health for carers, users, the general public. Emma has also been involved in training pharmaceutical company representatives, journalists, police officers and the guiding association.

She has also been involved with other campaigns centered around promoting rights for mental health service users. These have included working alongside a group of mental health experts to develop guidelines for the treatment and management of schizophrenia in the United Kingdom.

Emma's experience of being a media volunteer

Emma says: "Not enough people choose to tell the nation that they had a mental health problem. People with personal experience of mental health problems (mental health 'service users') often preceive the biggest culprits in perpetuating the stale old myths about mental illness to be the media."

"A lot of the work of the 'media pioneer' is to challenge negative stereotypes and prove that it is perfectly possible to disclose difficult feelings or experiences, survive and retain friendships."

What being a media volunteer involves

People sometimes expect that any type of media work is sometimes going to be a glitzy and glamorous affair, with riders and runners and pampering.

There are occasional award ceremonies and charity events that require posh frocks and the odd glass of champagne, but that isn't the reason people stick at it.

The notion that you are changing public opinion on an issue that is deeply rooted into the psyche of most human beings is powerful.

Recognising the intense pain that people can experience can potentially broaden anybody's horizon and open up new levels of understanding, of communication and of humility.

Realising that users of mental health services laugh, love and work may help to narrow the present gap that prevents people from being accepted or from choosing to access the treatment they need before it gets too late.

Why we need people - support available

Good opportunities are sometimes also wasted because of the lack of people feeling able to speak out – which is often due to shame or worry. Training is necessary, preferably from someone who has been in the hot seat before.

Knowing what you don't want to say as well as what you do want to get across is also important. Doing your research so you know what to expect can make a big difference.

Fortunately, if you are someone who feels moved to help change peoples' lives and attitudes there is help, advice and training out there. Rethink's press office are highly adept at helping people feel comfortable and in control in the spotlight.

Getting involved: going public

So, if you are a survivor of mental health services, would you to consider going public? With the right support, training and opportunities you can use your observations to make others' experiences just that little bit less difficult. People consuming news stories and profiles: you have the power of the veto and can choose whether you want to be fed half-baked, underresearched personal opinions based on stigmatised prehistoric conceptions.

Or you can choose to demand information about the very real experiences people still undergo today, that may affect you, your family, or your friends at some point in time. Finally, if you are a journalist reporting on mental health issues in any way, you are advised to seek out and listen to the views of people who have 'been there', before you go making 'there' an even more unbearable place to be.