Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) Expand Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is a disorder in which an individual has a disabling preoccupation with perceived defects or flaws in appearance. It can affect all genders and makes sufferers excessively self-conscious (BDD Foundation, 2021) Symptoms Excessive worry about a part of the body, particularly the face Spend a lot of time comparing features with others Excessively looking in mirrors or completely avoiding mirrors at all Trying to alter their appearance e.g. through make-up, surgeries or picking at skin Avoiding contact with people Feelings of shame and guilt Support available It is important to remember that BDD is a treatable condition. Many sufferers do not seek help because they feel ashamed or are worried that they will be considered vain. Body Dysmorphic Disorder Foundation has information about BDD, helpful resources and information about the support options available. Mind has information and resources about BDD for sufferers and their families and friends. BDD can be treated via psychological therapies. Visit our service lookup here to see if we deliver a talking therapy service in your local area. Alternatively, you can visit the NHS website here and enter your postcode to find your local service.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Expand PTSD is an anxiety disorder that may develop in the wake of an event that is either experienced or witnessed and involves an actual or perceived threat to life or physical integrity. This can be to themselves or others. Furthermore, the person’s emotional reaction to the event is either horror, terror or helplessness. Symptoms of PTSD are common after trauma, for most people the intensity and frequency of symptoms decrease over time. But for some PTSD symptoms persist become chronic and impact daily functioning. Signs and symptoms of PTSD 3 clusters of symptoms characterise PTSD Re-experiencing – the traumatic event is persistently re-experienced in one of more of the following ways: Recurrent and intrusive distressing recollections of the event – images, thoughts, perceptions Recurrent distressing dreams – nightmares Acting or feeling as if the trauma is happening again – illusions, hallucinations, dissociative flashbacks – completely taken back to that event. Intense psychological distress and physical sensations at exposure to internal or external cues that are reminders Avoidance Efforts to avoid thoughts, feelings or conversations associated with the trauma Avoid activities, places or people that arouse recollections of the trauma Inability to recall important aspects Not interested in participating in significant activities Feelings of detachment or estrangement from others Unable to have loving feelings Sense of foreshortened future – does not expect to have a future, career, normal life span – despite being safe Hyperarousal Difficulty falling or staying asleep Irritability or outbursts of anger Difficulty concentrating Hypervigilance – on edge constantly Exaggerated startle response – activation of flight or flight when safe Support available: PTSD symptoms are normal straight after an event and for most these symptoms reduce over time. However, when symptoms don’t subside 1-3 months after a traumatic event, it’s likely that these symptoms won’t go away without treatment. PTSD can be successfully treated, even when it develops many years after a traumatic event. PTSD be treated via psychological therapies. Visit our service lookup here to see if we deliver a talking therapy service in your local area. Alternatively, you can visit the NHS website here and enter your postcode to find your local service. PTSD UK is a UK charity dedicated to raising awareness of post-traumatic stress disorder. Their website contains information about the disorder and the treatment options available. There are also support groups that support individuals who struggle with specific traumas. Examples include: Birth Trauma Association (for people affected by birth trauma) Combat Stress (for serving personnel and veterans) Disaster Action (for people impacted by major disasters) Freedom from Torture Help for Adult Victims of Child Abuse (HAVOCA) LifeCentre (for victims of sexual abuse) RoadPeace (for those bereaved or seriously injured by a road traffic incident) Victim Support (for victims of crime or traumatic events)
Social anxiety Expand Social anxiety disorder, also called social phobia, is an overwhelming fear of social situations, being watched or judged on their social performance. It is a common problem that usually starts during the teenage years. It can be very distressing and have a big impact on your life (NHS, 2021) For some people, it gets better as they get older. But for many people, it does not go away on its own without treatment. The signs and symptoms of social anxiety include: Fear of speaking in a group Fear about starting a conversation Public speaking Speaking on the phone Meeting new people Speaking with certain figures e.g. a doctor or teacher Eating/drinking in front of others Going to a social event Fear of using public toilets Support available: Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne & Wear NHS Foundation Trust have produced a range of self-help guides, available to download here. No More Panic provides valuable information for sufferers and carers of people with panic, anxiety, phobias and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Its purpose is to provide members with support, advice and a chance to meet like-minded people and make friends along the way. Social anxiety can be treated via psychological therapies. Visit our service lookup here to see if we deliver a talking therapy service in your local area. Alternatively, you can visit the NHS website here and enter your postcode to find your local service.
Panic disorder (with or without agoraphobia) Expand Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder where an individual regularly has sudden attacks of panic or fear (NHS, 2021). This can lead the sufferer to avoid situations and places out of fear of another panic attack (fear of fear) which can lead to further heightened anxiety. Panic attacks are very intense experiences, and they can be incredibly distressing, although they are not dangerous. Symptoms of a panic attack can include: Rapid heart rate Feeling faint/dizziness Excessive sweating Chest pain Shaking Feeling of dread Feeling as if you can’t breathe Numbness and tingling Agoraphobia Agoraphobia is a complex phobia in which individuals have a fear of being in situations where escape may be difficult (NHS, 2021). Individuals with agoraphobia may struggle to leave the home, travel on public transport or visit certain spaces. Having agoraphobia can have a serious impact on the way you live your life. Many people with agoraphobia find it hard to leave the place they live. If an individual with agoraphobia finds themselves in a situation that they feel they can’t escape from, they usually experience a panic attack. Support available: No More Panic provides valuable information for sufferers and carers of people with panic. Its purpose is to provide members with support, advice and a chance to meet like-minded people and make friends along the way. Panic disorder and agoraphobia can be treated via psychological therapies. Visit our service lookup here to see if we deliver a talking therapy service in your local area. Alternatively, you can visit the NHS website here and enter your postcode to find your local service.
Health anxiety Expand Health anxiety is an anxiety condition where an individual has an obsessional pre-occupation that they are ill, or about to get ill, that it starts to take over their life. Those who are affected by health anxiety often misinterpret minor physical symptoms as indicators of serious disease or severe medical condition. Individuals may also become obsessive about researching their symptoms and serious medical conditions such as cancer and HIV. Other signs and symptoms can include: Reassurance-seeking from others Checking their symptoms online Checking their body repeatedly for signs of illness Acting as if they are ill. The anxiety itself can also cause physical symptoms like headaches, body aches and a racing heartbeat, and they may mistake these for signs of a physical illness. Support available: The NHS website has some useful self-help guidance, including keeping a diary. Anxiety UK has information about health anxiety and advice on how to access support. Health anxiety can also be treated via psychological therapies. Visit our service lookup here to see if we deliver a talking therapy service in your local area. Alternatively, you can visit the NHS website here and enter your postcode to find your local service. You can self-refer for support, you don’t need a referral from a GP.
Phobias Expand A phobia is a type of anxiety disorder where an individual has an overwhelming and debilitating fear of an object, place, situation, feeling or animal. Most of us have fears about certain situations. However, phobias are more intense than fears. They develop when a person has an exaggerated or unrealistic sense of danger about a situation or object (NHS, 2021). If a phobia becomes severe, it may impact a person’s ability to live a normal life, as they may organise their life around avoiding the trigger that causes them anxiety (NHS, 2021). Phobias can be grouped into two categories, specific phobias and complex phobias (such as social anxiety and agoraphobia). If you are looking for information about a complex phobia, we have other sections which address these difficulties. Common specific phobias include: Blood-injury Vomiting Needles Heights Deep water Flying Animals e.g. spiders, rodents, birds Situation phobias e.g. visiting the dentist Signs & Symptoms: Sweating Dizziness Heart palpitations Nausea Shaking Numbness or tingling These signs and symptoms can lead to people avoiding situations in which they might be exposed to any situations in which they might be exposed to their phobia. This makes their fear worse over time and people may feel anxious even at the thought of exposure to their phobia. Support available: Mind have a page of self-help resources specifically for people struggling with phobias. No More Panic provides valuable information for sufferers and carers of people with panic, anxiety, phobias and obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD). Its purpose is to provide members with support, advice and a chance to meet like-minded people and make friends along the way. If a phobia is significantly impacting your quality of life, you can speak to your GP who can explore what treatment options might be available to you. Psychological therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) can help people to address their phobia. Visit our service lookup here to see if we deliver a talking therapy service in your local area. Alternatively, you can visit the NHS website here and enter your postcode to find your local service.
GAD (generalised anxiety disorder) Expand We have all experienced feeling worried at one point in our lives, for example when sitting an exam, what if I fail or having a job interview, what if I can't answer their questions. However, for some people, they feel that their worries are constant, excessive, uncontrollable and are impacting their daily life. General anxiety disorder (GAD) is a disorder in which someone experiences recurrent and uncontrollable worries, which can be about a range of issues in their lives e.g. safety of loved ones, being late, being dismissed from work. Experiencing excessive worries causes people to experience symptoms of anxiety and exhaustion. Common symptoms include: Feeling restless or on edge Trouble concentrating Trouble with relaxing and sleeping Irritability Muscle tension A range of physical symptoms including heart palpitations, shaking, excess sweating Support available: These Self Help Guides produced by Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust cover a range of mental health issues. Living Life to the Full provides lots of different online self-help courses that are highly recommended by mental health professionals, covering lots of different specific topics and groups, including helping you to tackle anxiety. Moodgym is another online self-help program designed to help you prevent and manage symptoms of depression/anxiety. Their interactive, online self-help book teaches skills based on cognitive behavioural therapy. No More Panic provides valuable information for sufferers and carers of people with panic, anxiety, phobias and obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD). Its purpose is to provide members with support, advice and a chance to meet like-minded people and make friends along the way. GAD can also be treated via psychological therapies. Visit our service lookup here to see if we deliver a talking therapy service in your local area. Alternatively, you can visit the NHS website here and enter your postcode to find your local service. You can self-refer for support, you don't need a referral from a GP.
George Jenkins Expand George is a qualified accountant with over 25 years of experience in the commercial sector in finance and operational leadership roles. George is currently the Chief Finance Officer at Nescot College, Surrey. "I have a strong interest in mental health and whilst it has always been important the events of the last year have increased its prominence and the need for additional focus. I am delighted to join Mental Health Matters at this time and to support the invaluable work they do which helps so many." Outside of work George enjoys spending time with his wife and family, is interested in most sports, playing tennis, watching football and going on regular dog walks.
Martyn Booth Expand Martyn is an experienced professional covering diverse topics including information security, risk, privacy, governance, and digital transformation. Martyn sits on the senior management team at a FTSE 250 company and is an experienced Trustee with another UK charity. Currently completing his MBA at Durham, he wanted to leverage the skillset he has built up over 15 years in consulting and industry to support charities. "I am committed to helping those that need it in any way that I'm most useful". Martyn's hobbies include cycling, tennis, photography, spending time with his family, travelling, cooking and food (in general!)
Jill Lanham Expand Jill joined MHM as a trustee in May 2021. She has extensive experience as a Digital leader at senior and board level across a range of sectors including health, housing, local government and the third sector. Jill is passionate about utilising technology to provide innovative, accessible services for people. She is currently the Director of Digital for an NHS Ambulance Service and led the organisation to be recognised as a Global Digital Exemplar. During her career, Jill has led the delivery of a range of IT and digital transformation services both strategically and operationally. "I am passionate about improving mental health services and removing the stigma which is unfortunately still prevalent. I am delighted to be joining an organisation like MHM and to help to support and build on the great work they do." Outside work she enjoys travel, walking, yoga and food.
Kate Evans Expand Kate works in data and analytics for the UK government. She has led large data and digital transformation programmes to ensure that the UK government has the right data insights to make the best decisions in response to some of our most pressing social problems. Kate has recently completed an Executive MSc in Social Business and Entrepreneurship at the London School of Economics and, with one of her former classmates, has recently founded a social enterprise seeking to use social media and its data to improve the mental wellbeing of teenage girls. I am passionate about doing my bit to help in the invisible global pandemic of mental ill-health. MHM's work is fantastic and desperately needed and I am proud to be on the Board of Trustees. Kate is a single parent and spends much of her spare time jointly exploring whatever interests a young boy (a hamster and two goldfish have recently joined our household.) She also loves art, theatre, and reading.
Do I need to complete a DBS check? Expand Yes, we require all volunteers to undertake DBS checks when working with us. We are committed to treating all applicants equally and undertake not to discriminate unfairly against the subject of a positive disclosure.
What is the application process? Expand We encourage anyone who is interested in volunteering with us to complete an application form or contact our Volunteer Coordinator for more information and an informal chat about the roles available. We will invite any prospective volunteers to attend an interview, and if we feel we may be able to offer you a suitable role you will also be invited to visit our service for a look around, meet with the Team Manager and potentially even observe a session.
Can I volunteer if I am claiming benefits? Expand If you are currently claiming any benefits, volunteering shouldn’t affect this as long as you are still able to meet the conditions for receiving those benefits – eg, you need to be free to attend job interviews. Please speak to your job coach or benefits adviser before starting to volunteer.
Is there an age limit for volunteering with MHM? Expand We have no upper age limit for our volunteer roles, but request that all our volunteers are 18+.
Matthew Atherton Expand Matthew has 21 years' experience in leading business development, marketing, and communications strategy across a diverse range of organisations, including those in the mental healthcare, education, and charity sectors, alongside extensive experience working with the public sector. He spent eight years leading The Priory Group's marketing, communication, and customer contact teams and is currently responsible for business development for a multi-national organisation providing specialist education and care to those with a diagnosis of autism or with social, emotional, or mental health needs. “I am passionate about good communication in mental health, both for those currently accessing services and for the individuals who wish to find out more about it. Reducing stigma and increasing knowledge are essential factors in empowering recovery and MHM plays an important role in making this a reality” Outside of work Matthew spends most of his time with his young family and driving 'Dad's Taxi', with the remainder spent trying to keep up with his younger and considerably faster teammates on a cricket field.
Kevin Davis - Director of Finance Expand Kevin joined Mental Health Matters in 2024 as Finance Director. He previously has worked in education, training and recruitment and is a fellow of both the Chartered Institute of Management Accounts (CIMA) and the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), in recognition of his extensive knowledge in controlling the finances and operations in UK and International organisations.
Supporting People Experiencing Psychosis Expand This course is an excellent course for anyone who supports individuals with psychosis. Its purpose is to teach the best ways of supporting & communicating with those experiencing psychosis. To learn more read our: Supporting People Experiencing Psychosis Course Overview or contact [email protected]
Psychosis Awareness Expand This level one training programme aims to give the learner an understanding of psychosis, its presentation, causes and suggestions for support. To learn more read our: Psychosis Awareness Course Overview or contact [email protected]
Autism Awareness Expand An excellent introduction to the underpinning knowledge needed to effectively support and offer services to autistic people. To learn more read our: Autism Awareness Course Overview or contact [email protected]
Learning Disabilities Awareness Expand This training gives learners an awareness of learning disability and discusses the challenges faced by people with a learning disability and how this might impact on practice. To learn more read our: Learning Disabilities Awareness Course Overview or contact [email protected]
OCD Awareness Expand This training gives the learner an understanding of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), its presentation in individuals and addresses how someone can support an individual with OCD. To learn more read our: OCD Awareness Course Overview or contact [email protected]
How do I log into a virtual consultation? Expand If you've never or rarely used virtual consultation services before, please read the following document that provides an introduction to logging into Virtual Group Workshops via One Consultation How to access virtual workshops
Pooja Sachdev Expand Pooja became a trustee at MHM in April 2025. She has extensive experience in organisational development and workplace wellbeing. She previously served as a Consultant Organisational Development Specialist with the HSBC Group and held positions at Towers Perrin (now Willis Towers Watson) and Taylor Nelson Sofres (TNS). Earlier in her career, she was appointed Senior Policy Officer at the Commission for Racial Equality. She has partnered with a wide range of public and private sector organisations, including Channel 4, the London Borough of Newham, the Department for Trade and Industry, Novartis, and Royal Mail. Pooja holds an MSc in Occupational Psychology and is currently working as a consultant in London.