Young Patient Shares Experiences in Mental Health System

Tiwa, 24, has publicly shared her experiences within the UK's mental health system, which began at the age of 11. As a young Black girl, she often felt unheard and that decisions about her care were made without her involvement.

She describes experiences of forced treatment, seclusion, and medication without consent. Tiwa was a teenager when she was detained under the Mental Health Act. She felt that hospital staff did not always understand her background, and discussions about her treatment often occurred in her absence.

The situation changed when Tiwa met a psychiatrist who understood her cultural references and treated her as a human being. This personal and respectful relationship showed Tiwa what care could look like. While her past experiences left deep scars, they have inspired her to work in mental health policy and advocacy.

Tiwa emphasizes that her experiences shape her work as an advocate. She wants people to be able to speak openly about their experiences and for professional and personal lives to complement each other. She also acts as a voice for young people still navigating mental health services.

Still in a recovery process, Tiwa describes herself as a normal 24-year-old professional who follows daily routines to maintain her mental health. She encourages other individuals with lived experience to be gentle with themselves and to remember that they are also professionals in their own right.