Peer support workers use lived experience to help others on National Schizophrenia Awareness Day
Pictured are Peer Support Workers Terry Haggerty (right) and Jason Harris.
Two Peer Support Workers at Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT) are sharing their experiences of living with serious mental illness this National Schizophrenia Awareness Day (25 July), in a bid to reduce stigma and offer hope to others.
Terry Haggerty, who was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia in his twenties, now works in the Norwich Early Intervention in Psychosis team offering unique lived experience-based support to service users.
The 45-year-old from Norwich said: "I was quite unwell for a number of years. I didn't think I'd ever have a relationship, I was told I might never work again. I didn't think I'd ever have a life.
"But I've been working in the NHS now for nearly nine years. My mind isn't perfect, but I manage very well."
Terry said it took time to accept his diagnosis, and he didn't initially believe recovery was possible. Twelve years later, he was re-diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) with intrusive thoughts.
"In those early days I lived with so much fear," he said. "It destroyed my confidence. For years, all I ever wanted to do was forget about my mental health - it was something I was very ashamed of.
"When I was re-diagnosed with OCD, it was a relief. But when I came off all my medication, I lasted about nine months until I became psychotic again.
"I made a lot of mistakes in recovery. And I've used all that experience to connect with people and say: 'I've been there, and you're not alone.'"
Jason Harris, 43, who has schizoaffective disorder, also works as a Peer Support Worker alongside Terry. His symptoms began in childhood, with his first experience of hearing voices at around age nine.
He said: "They were like voices constantly having a conversation among themselves. I was always looking around to try and see who was saying it, but I could never see them."
The voices were persistent and threatening, often convincing Jason he was being watched or followed.
"I thought maybe if I tried to move somewhere else, then maybe it would go away," he added. "But everywhere I went, they seemed to be there. I went to Gran Canaria and tried to live there for a bit, but they kept following me."
After a crisis in his mid-twenties, Jason received a hospital order. It was during two years in hospital that he began to find purpose.
"I started to read the Bible which helped me get some values in life again and a different perspective. Recovery College helped too, seeing people who'd gone through similar situations gave me hope."
He has since written a book - Retrieval of the Soul - which explores his journey and aims to break down mental health stigma, particularly among Black men.
Jason became a Peer Support Worker in 2020 - something he says he's really passionate about.
"Everyone's story is individual, and it's not always going to work out the same, but it's about offering hope. There are things that can help people still live a meaningful life, even with ongoing symptoms.
"I've done things I wouldn't have seen myself doing before. It's made me come out even stronger."
Now, both Jason and Terry use their lived experience to connect with others and show that recovery is possible.
"It's nice to just listen," said Jason. "That's what a lot of people need - someone to just be there to listen."
Anthony Deery, Chief Nurse at NSFT, said: "As we continue to improve our services and better support the communities we serve, peer support remains central to delivering compassionate, person-centred care."
Photos and MP3 file for media use: National Schizophrenia Awareness Day. [zip] 1MB