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
World Mental Health Day
World Mental Health Day is held every year. It raises awareness of mental health issues around the world and mobilizes efforts in support of mental health.
The day provides an opportunity for all stakeholders working on mental health issues to talk about their work, and what more needs to be done to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide.
Find out more about St Andrew's Healthcare
St Andrew’s is proud to be a charity that supports people with complex mental health needs.
As a charity we don’t have shareholders, meaning that any surplus we make from our operations can be continually reinvested back into delivering our mission.
You can find out more about our services by clicking below.
