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Name: | Sarah Harmon |
Age: | 20 |
Year of the Fix: | 2014 |
Location: | Presteigne, Mid Wales |
Campaign: | To improve understanding of mental health conditions |
I feel that many young people don’t understand mental illness and there’s a great deal of stigma associated with it.
When I was 16, I started experiencing mental health problems. I've battled an eating disorder, borderline personality disorder and the urge to self-harm. It’s hard to describe just how low these conditions can make you feel and how difficult everyday life can become.
It’s improved a lot for me over the years, but I realise it’s a long road ahead.
Drawing on my own experiences, I aim to tackle the misconceptions surrounding mental health issues, so there is greater understanding and fewer barriers for young people to seek help.
By raising awareness, I hope people will become less judgemental about such conditions.
For my Fixers project, I plan to create a workshop addressing this topic, which I plan to run in colleges.
Here is a list of Fixers helping me with my Fix:
Harry Praetal | Adam Perry | Nakisha Evans |
Ffion Cleaton | Katie Price | Kelly Emanuel |
Shaunagh Harbon | Laura Simms | Tirion Callery |
Sophie Law | Olivia Jones | Clare Davies |
Jazmin Herdman | Whitney Griffiths | Jemma Williams |
Caryn Littlefair | Jasmine Evans | Bethanie Jones |
Aisha Benfield | Tiffany Barker | Hannah Jones |
Jessica Morgan | Chloe Davies | Joanne Williams |
Rebecca Humphries | Jamey-Lee Joseph | Courtney Isaac |
Laura Godon | Hayley Lewis | Leanne Whitticase |
Chloe Hamer | Alexandra Philips | Becca Miller |
Amy Price | Georgina Husbands | Rebecca Francis |
Maxine Jackson | Eva-Jean Wright | Sinead Hegarty |
Mid Powys Mind
The charity supports my Fixers project. April Cullen, Manager at Mid Powys Mind, agreed to be interviewed to appear in my broadcast film.
NPTC, Newtown College
The team at the college support my Fix. A group of students helped me develop my workshop and were filmed for my broadcast piece.
November 2014
With Fixers, I've helped create a radio play based on my own experiences of mental health. It tells the story of a fictional character, 'Cara', and the struggles she faces with food, body image and self-harm. At the end, the listener hears that Cara is in recovery and is looking to help others living with mental illness. I intend to use this resource at the workshops I run in schools and colleges. Press play below to listen to the piece.
July 2014
On Thursday 17th July I was invited to the Senedd to talk to the Children’s Commissioner and his office about my experiences of mental health services in Wales.
I travelled to the home of the Welsh Assembly with Georgina Arnold, who appears in the photo with me below.
We were both able to speak about our Fixers projects, how we’re benefiting from them, and how we hope they will help others.
Sarah Harmon (L) and Georgina Arnold (R) outside the Senedd
April 2014
I met up with my MP Roger Williams who was impressed with my campaign. He has offered to help contact local schools about my project and is enthusiastic for me to meet with other local MPs.
Fixer Sarah Harmon with MP for Brecon and Radnorshire, Roger Williams.
March 2014
My story was featured on the Powys Mental Health blog. Click here to read the post.
Mason Latey
Me and my friends want young people to know that calories aren't the enemy!
Mary-Anne White and Lucy Wills
Ethan Mcinally
Liam Thomas
Olivia G
Becky Thorn
Alexandra Garrick
Lauren Taylor
Shak & Natasha
Hafsa Ur-Rehman
Macauley Collinson
Hannah Carter
Fern Lulham
Hannah Baker
Shano
Tilly and Bella
Meghann
Sam Barakat
Chelsie Brown
Jade Kingdom
'Ben'
Jo Quinn