Next Generation Changemakers
Shelley Carson
Psychology has always been something that’s fascinated me, but my personal reasons for entering the mental health field have stemmed from my life and experiences. Growing up with anxiety, I learned how to navigate my own mental health challenges without the help or knowledge of how to do so effectively. I have experienced first-hand how isolating it can feel to navigate it on your own, and the exhaustion of dealing with that constant internal noise.
During this time I noticed a pattern, I naturally always fell into the role of the go-to listener among my friends and liked doing it. When sitting with the people I cared about as they navigated their inner worlds, I realised trying to fix situations for others isn’t realistic and not always what they need in that moment. Sometimes, all someone wants is a genuine human connection and to feel like they are truly being heard. These experiences and my empathy for others make me believe that a career in counselling is something I could naturally be good at. I will also be able to become the person that I once needed.
From this realisation, I began my two-year journey at Ayrshire College. I started with the First Steps to Counselling and Mental Health course – this gave me the groundwork needed before I progressed onto the HNC in Counselling. The HNC challenged me in ways I never thought it would. It encouraged self-reflection and made me uncover so much about myself. It also shifted my understanding of what therapists actually do, realising they aren’t there to fix your problems. It taught me how to actually properly listen to people, instead of immediately jumping in to try and solve a situation for someone. During the course I also worked at a care home in the kitchen. While my role is non-clinical, interacting with vulnerable residents daily has shown me firsthand how crucial calm, empathetic communication is when someone is distressed, which reaffirmed my readiness for helping people from all walks of life.
Mental health is far from just a clinical issue, it is also very much a product of our environments. Right now, the need for community support in Ayrshire is urgent. Recent data shows that more people than ever in Scotland are reporting having a mental health condition, more than double the numbers recorded back in 2011. The group most affected are youths with 15.4% of 16- to 24-year-olds reporting a mental health condition, rising to 20.4% for young women in that same age bracket.
But the most devastating indicator showing a local mental health crisis is the grip that addiction has on Ayrshire. Addiction rarely tends to be a standalone issue as it is often a consequence of untreated trauma and distress, which is compounded by the area’s poverty levels and challenging job market. In recent years, suspected drug-related deaths in Ayrshire have surged. Figures show there were 127 suspected drug-related deaths across the county in a single year, more than double the numbers previously recorded. This makes our region the second worst in Scotland for drug deaths, proving that anxiety, depression and hopelessness are taking a fatal toll. This is exactly why there should be more accessible support put in place, to help individuals that are facing a reality too much for them to bear.
While there have been some improvements in how we see mental health, proactive care could definitely be improved. Waiting lists for specialised therapy can be months or even years, leaving people that can’t afford private services left stranded. The focus should be for more early-intervention and community level services that can provide care for people before their distress becomes a crisis. My goal is to understand these drivers of distress and understand how therapy can be used to make a real difference.
This September, I will take these experiences with me as I go to study Psychology and Counselling at the University of Strathclyde. My time at Ayrshire College helped provide me with the self-awareness and academic development to hone my skills further to become a qualified professional for those in need.
If my experiences have taught me anything about supporting good mental health, it comes down to three main things: forging connections, communication and boundaries. Show yourself kindness and patience, just as you would for someone vulnerable. And most importantly, recognise and respect your own feelings as much as you encourage others to express theirs. No one should have to carry the weight of the world alone – caring costs nothing. Anyone can reach out, listen to others and allow themselves to be heard in return. Being a part of the solution will reap rewards as we move towards a nourishing and healthy community which benefits everyone.
Figures obtained from Scottish Government and Scottish Census.
