# MYMENTALHEALTH
MATTERS Olivia Kahn
Last year , for the first time , we dedicated an entire month to raising awareness about mental health and wellbeing .
The purpose was to engage staff and students in conversations about their own and others ’ mental health , and this year we did the same .
Olivia Khan , a Business student on our Ayr Campus , told the story of a children ’ s panel she attended just a couple of months after going into foster care .
While Steven Fegan , Employability and Engagement Officer at the College , told his story .
Below are short excerpts from those pieces .
You can find the rest of this year ’ s content - including Alcohol and Drug Liaison Officer Cara Durnie ’ s advice - at our blog at www . ayrshirecollegeblog . wordpress . com .
Olivia
My mother developed a mental illness and my four siblings and I were taken out of her care for our own safety .
Often , when families experience difficulty and are involved with social work , they have to attend panels to discuss their future .
I looked around the room at all the awkward and nervous faces , unsure where to look . My older sister , my foster dad and three social workers – one I had only met once before for a brief moment ; one a stranger to me , albeit a stranger that knew every ugly detail of my family ’ s life ; the third was my social worker , Clare .
I remember when I met her , I thought she was just another social worker trying to split up a family . I hated her and the rest . That was until my first foster parents threw me out , quite literally . I was only given three days ’ notice . Dumbfounded is the only word .
Mum had left me , I didn ’ t know where my brothers or sisters were , and now this . I had no one .
That was one of the lowest points of my little life . I felt like that was the first time I really saw Clare . She looked so mad at my carers , she had this concerned look in her eyes that Mum lacked , and most of all she fought for me . She cared and I had her .
I was so grateful for her . She knew more than what was in the files and documents , she knew the family , she went the extra mile , and she was there for us . I ’ ll never forget the feeling of having someone speak for me when others spoke over me . She was always on my side and had my back when it came to the terminology and jargon . If anyone tried to take advantage of this ‘ little girl ’ she wouldn ’ t let it slide .
Anyway , back to the panel , where I was told : “ You ’ ll get contact with your mum three times a week – if she shows up .”...
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20 THE STUDENT VOICE EDITION 7