A year ago, this month, Naomi Farrow came out of hospital after a decline in her Bipolar. Here the NHS Engagement Officer talks about how getting outside, and getting a whippet puppy, has helped her through the last year
If I had to describe my life up to a couple of years ago, confusing is probably the first word that pops into my head. I had a great childhood where football was my life. I’ve always been showered love from those around who loved me, so feel very lucky in that sense. However, through all of this I have always struggled with relationships and controlling my feelings and emotions which I beat myself up for, for 34 years. When I was finally diagnosed with Bipolar in 2019, things just all seemed to make sense.
After the birth of my twins in 2014 I struggled massively with not only being a mum to twins, plus an older daughter, but with the prospect of possibly not working again – which for me was incredibly damaging. The cost of childcare for three children meant I wouldn’t be able to afford to work. This led me into a downward spiral as I had always been career driven. I became lonely and isolated as I lived in rural Norfolk and was feeling a failure. I was diagnosed with Post Natal Depression in 2015 and put on medication. In my plea to not feel like I had been ruled out, I realised I wanted to help others that felt like me, so that drove me to wanting to achieve setting up a maternal mental health charity, Get Me Out The Four Walls, and it all paid off. Or at least I hope it did.
I’m an engagement officer for the NHS. This is a very new role that the trust bought in around 10 months ago which was to have someone in the trust that can regularly engage and be a point of contact for not only statutory bodies but also for the third sector (charities). As this was a new role – and given my experience as a service user and as a founder of a charity – we decided to look to improve our links and relationships with the third sector first, so we have been holding various events and making contact with organisations. I am also seen as an advocate within the organisation in ensuring that we are always thinking about the third sector and looking for opportunities to gain partnerships in any new work and opportunities.
2020 was a good year for me professionally. I feel I’m in a role where I am well suited and where the trust can make best use my skills. I also feel listened to by people in more senior positions which is so reassuring. Personally, it was a good year. Firstly, I had a whole year without being admitted – after spending the last two years in and out of hospital. It wasn’t great that we have been so restricted, but that’s life and I’ve been good at trying to see the positives in some of the smaller things that we do that usually I don’t pay much attention to.
Probably like many, lockdown hasn’t been easy, but I decided to take up cycling as I am someone that loves being in the outdoors. I think this helped me get by. I feel very fortunate to work for the NHS through these difficult times because it has meant I not only have a job, but it’s kept me busy which is what I personally feel has kept me on the straight and narrow. I have massively missed social interaction as I’m a real sociable person but have learnt to adapt to home working. Working, cycling and dog walking has helped me through.
I would say that much more people are talking about mental health and the more people that do will only make that better and better. I think these times have even made the strongest of people mentally struggle which is probably good in the sense that it will enable them to be understanding of others in that position moving forward.
My one and only hope personally is to stay well and out of hospital, alongside my girls. They need me more than anyone so it’s vital to listen to myself and to implement the things that I know will keep me well. Professionally, I would like to establish great relationships with the third sector in Norfolk and Suffolk and to act as a contact and enabler to the third sector. I would also like to see the system commissioning more of the sector and I will continue to champion that to the best of my abilities.
Visit Get Me Out The 4 Walls
Leave a Reply