4 minute read
The healing campus
Converge: The Healing Campus
By Molly Catterall
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Coping with a mental health problem can be difficult for people within society; with one in four people affected at some point in their lives. Bombarded by the stigma and in some cases an 18 week wait for mental health services, people often don’t know who to turn to. But for many like Smith, Converge is a lifeline. Looking thankfully into my eyes she says: “I don’t think I would have been in the place I am now if it wasn’t for Converge.”
Converge, based at York St. John University, was first established in 2008 by Nick Rowe after he observed the limitations within mental health services as a psychiatric nurse. Rowe felt patients were being dehumanised and limited by their options. “I wanted to provide good quality educational opportunities and courses in a university setting, for local people who use mental health services,” Rowe says, “taught by students and staff.” This provides the opportunity for people to learn from each other; converging everyone involved into one supportive community.
The programme offers their students the chance to experiment with their ideas and creativity while gaining real world experience. Creative expression has been proven helpful in the journey of recovery to mental health, as stated by the Mental Health Foundation. Hilary Bailey, Converge office coordinator explains: “Converge allows people to discover themselves and reverse the deficit they often have faced within their lives into something beautiful again”, unlocking creativity buried deep within.
Rowe expresses how Converge aims to “challenge the dynamics of social exclusion” while helping their students access education and employment. It provides an inclusive, inspirational environment, where respect for others and valuing yourself is encouraged. Converge has touched upon many people’s lives, with a current 142 students enrolled this academic year. Kaleigh Neath, has been involved within the Converge choir for around three years, like other students she first heard about Converge through her CPN (community psychiatric nurse). She expresses to me the importance the Converge choir has had upon her life and without it she might not be here today.
Neath sat contently, as noises of passersby filled the air. Breaking the silence, she stops, pushes her glasses up her nose and speaks softly: “I have major depression and psychosis and living with these conditions can be complicated.”
First diagnosed while studying for her GCSEs, Neath was admitted to hospital, “I was in denial of my condition” she says brushing a piece of hair behind her ear. “I was talking to people who were not there, but in my mind, they were.”
Neath describes to me how being alone was scary. “I would question what I heard… did I hear that?”. She stops, fear plastered upon her face. “Thoughts… fucking dark thoughts.” It was the constant battle of having to keep yourself safe. Smith agrees: “When you’re unwell you feel very scared and alone, when I was well I could keep it out of my mind.”
Neath laughs awkwardly. “I have battled with self-harm.” But felt “surrounded by silent judges” when seeking help at hospital after harming herself.
Neath explains the difficulty of describing her experiences with mental health services who haven’t experienced it themselves.This constant rumination causes Neath to feel trapped in her own intrusive thoughts.
Unlike current mental health facilities, Converge does not pressure individuals to talk about their problems. Rowe noticed that once people were diagnosed they began to lose hope for the future. “People often feel defined by their mental health.” He wanted to allow people to overcome barriers and be defined as something different from a patient.
Converge communicated to Neath that “it is okay not to speak about anything going on within your life” in a non-pressuring, non-stigmatised, relaxed environment, which relies on the individual person and not their ability.
Rowe expressed to me how university is a valued place within society. Often mental health services can feel very clinical but locating Converge in a student-based environment challenges the stigma of mental health, and people’s perception.
According to the Campaign to End Loneliness, over nine million people in the UK are either always or often lonely. Converge offers a friendly environment which combats this.Music has always been a part of Neath’s life and being a part of Converge choir has allowed her to form meaningful friendships, bonding over similarities and experiences.
Paul Wort, a former student agrees. “Converge has brought meaning back into my life.” Wort now works at Converge to “give something back, rather than work just for money.”
Neath smiles, adding: “You all are in the same boat.” She pauses.“Just being around someone who has been through something similar is enough to make you feel better.” It has been the light at the end of the tunnel.
Neath expresses the difficulty of living with a mental health problem. “Sometimes it’s not being able to get out of bed,” she says with pain. Stopping for breath she looks up and speaks softly, “Converge has allowed me to have a positive distraction, away from everything in my life.”
Converge provides structure and routine. “If Converge is only thing to get you out of bed for,” Neath says.“It gives you a sense of purpose.” Rowe says when people have a sense of purpose, it gives them focus and confidence, which can lessen the chance of mental health problems developing. It has encouraged Neath to keep persevering. “My week runs from Tuesday to Tuesday,” she says hopefully. “Although the thoughts will never stop, those couple of hours really help.”
In Neath’s experience some mental health services are extremely clinical, dismissive and stamp check you. With mental services in high demand, more people are being referred to social prescribed services like Converge. Neath has always taken tablets, which has been hard to accept, but she wishes “Converge had been offered to me sooner”.
Neath stops and looks down, touching her silver bracelet. “It’s about getting from one day to the next but knowing when to reach out is half the battle.” She takes a long pause “Converge has saved my life a couple of times”. She wipes tears away from her face. “I wouldn’t be who I am now if it wasn’t for Converge.”
