Nadeem Chughtai
Nadeem Chughtai has been a service user with Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (BSMHFT) for the past seven years. Nadeem’s story is both enlightening and encouraging and he hopes that others may benefit from his experiences.
“My enthusiasm for photography has helped me to become involved with several projects including the Working Arts Group and MADCAP, which aims to promote mental health through artistic and creative activities.”
Deborah Living
After graduating in 1994, Deborah set off to the south of England with her partner to start her new graduate position in commercial conferencing. With a degree and a well paid job, a bright future should have been taken for granted. At 21 years of age, Deborah was diagnosed with clinical depression following spiralling negative thoughts and feelings that had persisted, but gone unchecked, for several years. She had disguised her true feelings, becoming increasingly secretive about her mental anguish.
“I thought Arts All Over the Place was a brilliant idea and I was taken on by BSMHFT, on a sessional basis for six months, to help co-ordinate the event. I designed the logo, branding, leaflets, programme and posters. After everything I had been through I really felt as if I was finally in the right place at the right time. Working with the Arts All Over the Place team was a good environment for me because it provided contact, support and the opportunity to be part of something but on an informal basis.”
