Women & Girls’ Voices

If they’d treated me like a human, sat down with me and asked if they could help, it would have been different.

Young people need guidance into how things are going to change when you’re older rather than being left in the dark.

At 15 when I hit puberty, everything went out the window. Me and my mum were arguing all the time.

No one chooses to be unwell or suffer poor mental health or a disability. Women like me face a daily struggle.

Therapy is incredibly hard but I look forward to seeing my therapist every single week. She cares for me and accepts me.

I was suffering so much over the years and I never knew what it was. All I knew was I needed help.

Women with mental health issues already feel like they’re at the bottom of the pile but I don’t want sympathy. I’d just like some help.

My psychotherapist does not judge. She recognises me as a whole person and I feel safe to talk with her about my trauma.

It wasn’t until finally I got into trouble that I was able to get help. It shouldn’t have been like that. I shouldn’t have been forgotten about.

Now, both my daughters are back in my care. I am overjoyed, cos that’s what I got clean for.

I’ve been immensely lucky to have such an amazing support network on my recovery journey. A lot of the women I meet are not nearly as fortunate.

I’m definitely in a better place with my drinking and my mental health and state of mind now. I’ve got a new game plan.