One of the best days of my life

It is not hyperbole to state that May 15^th, 2025, was one of the best days of my life so far. This was the day I gave my first ever OCD talk at Staffordshire University, to a class of 20-odd trainees doing a Post Graduate Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. I was extremely nervous because I wanted it to go so well, I wanted to repay the faith shown in me by others.

Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

In my previous blog entitled, ‘A brave new world as a lived experience expert at Keele and Staffordshire Universities’, I detail how I got my new role as an OCD lived experience expert. Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust are my new employer I am very proud to say. Indeed, getting this role is testament to how far I have come in terms of my OCD recovery journey.

My story

My OCD story is a harrowing one that involved suicidal thoughts and self-harm. I developed contamination OCD when I was around 14-15 years old, but things did not massively improve until I reached my 44^th year. I do not pretend to now know everything, but I know my past and hope lessons can be learnt.

Ever the perfectionist

Back to May 15^th, 2025, and I was stood outside Staffordshire Railway Station feeling the pressure internally. Not once did I feel any pressure from Course Clinical Lead, Psychologist Alex Preston, I hasten to add. Alex was so supportive and encouraging towards me. I just knew myself I had an important story to tell the Staffordshire University cohorts, and so I wanted to do it justice.

Nervous but excited

I am not a natural public speaker, so naturally I found the prospect of doing my OCD talk rather scary. In fact, I think my last big presentation was back in the early 2000s at university when talking about the rights and wrongs of that Hollywood classic film Casablanca (between us I can still do a great Humphrey Bogart impression). I was nervous but excited though (back to my OCD speech), it was time to prove my worth.

Everybody was willing me on

I guess the loveliest thing I can say about the Stafford University trainees, is that as I started my talk, I got this heartwarming sense that everybody in the room was willing me on. My talk in total lasted for about 30 minutes, and then afterwards I did a question and answer session with them. Their reaction to me and my story could not have gone any better.

Making a difference

I know this may sound really big-headed of me, but I am now immensely proud to be an OCD lived experience expert employed by my employers. The feedback from both Alex and the trainees, was that my presence had made a positive learning difference to them all.

Rewarding

As I landed back in Manchester later that afternoon, I was still buzzing at how well the talk had gone. Most of all though I was overcome almost by this overwhelming feeling of gratitude. What I mean by this is that by helping the trainees like I had, the day had been so rewarding for me.

Become a mental health lived experience expert

If you have experience of a mental health condition/s, then I urge you to think about becoming a lived experience expert too. Afterall, would you not agree with me that there really is no finer feeling in life than when you help other people?