This episode features Helen chatting with Lisa Rodrigues, CBE.
?Lisa is a writer, coach and mental health campaigner who worked as a health professional in the NHS for a number of years before becoming Chief Executive of a large NHS mental health trust – a position she held for 13 years before retiring in 2014.
Lisa was awarded a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) for her services to the NHS and work in helping to address mental health stigma and promote evidence based practice.
Lisa has also had her own experiences with depression since the age of 15 – an illness that she kept hidden until shortly before her retirement when she experienced a major depressive episode.
?Lisa works now in continuing to speak out about mental illness and challenge stigma; aiming to reduce the negativity associated with mental illness. She writes and speaks at conferences and in the media.
?Lisa also does a great deal of work with two charitable organisations – Grassroots Suicide Prevention and the Samaritans.
?During the conversation with Lisa she discusses many things!
She talks about her work life and her illness; why she chose to speak out about her own illness and her feelings about doing so. She discusses issues around mental health services currently and talks about her work with Grass Roots Suicide Prevention and the Samaritans.
?Lisa’s website:
?www.lisasaysthis.com
?Twitter: @LisaSaysThis
