World Mental Health Day 2026

Real voices of local experts bringing real change to people across Birmingham

St. Andrews Healthcare is showcasing the experiences and voices of two of our local experts to mark World Mental Health Day 2026.

Cheryl Nyabezi and Bernie Brunt work at St Andrew’s Healthcare in Birmingham, a 128-bed hospital providing specialist mental health services for men and women.

The theme of this year’s World Mental Health Day is Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change.

Cheryl and Bernie work on the ‘Steps Forward’ project at the hospital where those with who have been directly impacted by mental health, work with patients to support and improve care.

Hear from Cheryl Nyabezi

Our Clinical Inequalities Lead, Cheryl Nyabezi said: “This World Mental Health Day we are proud to highlight the real difference people like Bernie make to the care we deliver to our patients. Every day, through our Experts by Experience work we aim to improve access, communication and support.”

“Experts by Experience is influencing real change this World Mental Health Day and that is what gets me up in the morning to do my job.”

Watch Cheryl’s story here

Hear from Bernie Brunt

Bernie Brunt, our Well Being Lead and Recovery Coach, worked around the world in a high-profile industry in high pressure environments before experiencing life changing mental health symptoms which led him into the care of St Andrew’s.

His courageous journey of recovery means that today he is now employed by the charity to work alongside patients and staff to ensure his lived experience is a catalyst for real change for others.

Bernie said: “I was someone who suffered severe life limiting mental health symptoms that left me feeling like I had no purpose in life Now I am able to look at that experience to say St. Andrew’s was the opportunity I needed.”

“When I was at my most unwell, I just wanted to hear from someone that had been that ill and who could encourage me that I could get through it. People tell me that being a real voice to patients at St. Andrew’s brings them hope and gives them the experience to know that if I can get better then so can they.”

Watch Bernie’s story here

Jack’s Story

Jack, a 30-year-old service user, is based at St Andrew’s Healthcare in Essex and works alongside newly admitted patients to ensure they have a voice in the support and care they care.

“This World Mental Health Day I’m really proud to be part of the experts by experience work that makes a real difference to patients here in Essex.” said Jack who recently became a father to twins. “Every day, because of the experiences I have had I am able to ensure new patients have a real voice in their own care.”

Jack, who was born in Basildon Hospital, first accessed mental health services in Essex as a teenager. He was in and out of care in his twenties and found it challenging to hold down employment.

His courageous journey of recovery means that today, while still a service user at St. Andrew’s, he is also able support patients and staff to ensure his lived experience is a catalyst for real change for others.

“I was someone who suffered severe life limiting mental health symptoms that left me feeling like I had no future.” said Jack. “Now I am able to look at that experience to say St. Andrew’s was the opportunity I needed. They have given me a reason to live.”

“The challenges I have experienced throughout my life mean that I am now able me to work and support patients whether they are learning about the importance of healthy eating, the power of going to the gym or learning a new trade such as painting and decorating here in Essex.”

“The staff here at St. Andrew’s are amazing.” Jack said. “I am immensely proud to support them and to see it making a real difference to people’s lives every day.”