Blog Post

Dr Caroline Walker - &me anti stigma campaign    

  • by Caroline Walker
  • 29 Mar, 2017

&me is our joint campaign, with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons' Mind Matters Initiative, to encourage senior, currently well healthcare professionals including doctors, vets, dentists and pharmacists to informally self identify as having experienced a mental health condition in order to reduce the stigma of mental health in the healthcare professions.

Find out more about our campaign and how you might get involved here 

Read on to learn about our volunteer Caroline's inspiring story:

Dr Caroline Walker - psychiatrist and psychotherapist

Caroline Walker is a senior trainee psychiatrist and psychotherapist working in South West London.  She had recurrent episodes of depression throughout her twenties and when she experienced periods of high mood in her early thirties she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.  Her mental illness hasn't stopped her from getting her dream job and has fuelled her passion for working in the field of doctors' health.  Caroline is involved in running the Facebook 'Tea and Empathy' group facilitating informal peer to peer support for NHS staff.

Caroline says 'The worst stigma I've experienced over the years was the stigma I put on myself.  Speaking out about my illness has helped me to feel less ashamed - I now feel incredibly proud of my experiences and the way I manage my mental health.  I am open with everyone about my illness - it helps me and it helps them.  From individual private conversations to speaking to a room of over 300 trainee doctors.. I'm passionate about encouraging all doctors to talk more openly about our day-to-day struggles.  Sharing really does kill stigma.'

Seeking help?

Our wonderful &Me ambassadors share their inspiring stories to provide general encouragement and to help breakdown stigma, but if you need support, please seek it from your healthcare provider or a specialist service, rather than contacting our ambassadors in person.  See our 'Support for Doctors' page for listings of various services and organisations specialising in supporting medics with mental ill health.
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