Back on Track
Re-entering education can play a big part
in the recovery of people with mental
health problems.
Back on Track is a flexible, supported course
run by Highbury College in partnership with
Headspace for people whose education has
been affected by mental health difficulties.
“Before Back on Track I felt that I was
trapped in a box but now I can see that
a door has opened.”
“I have developed more confidence.”
“The Keeping Well plan is very useful and
helped me greatly.”
“Back on Track helped me to learn about
myself and also to see that I wasn’t
alone. There are other people with similar
difficulties and there is support for us.”
“Coming to College helps me to forget all
of my problems.”
“I now have something to aim for, a
purpose.”
A big thank you
This leaflet contains the words and views
of those who have experienced psychosis;
many thanks for your contribution and
willingness to share.
How can Headspace help?
Headspace is a team that works with people
who have or may be developing a first episode
of psychosis.
● We can make sure that people with
psychosis and their families get help
quickly.
● We help people to get well and to stay
well.
● We provide support that is responsive to a
person’s needs and on their terms.
“I know my daughter will recover and I am
grateful to everybody who has been involved
in that.”
ple
help for young peo
How can you contact us? with psychosis
We are very happy to speak to you if you
have any questions or concerns.
• About 1 in 4 people have a mental
Call us on: 023 9273 7106 health problem.
and ask for Headspace • Getting help early gives people the
or visit: best chance of getting better faster.
www.headspaceportsmouth.com
voices of
recovery
Recovery is a journey Each person’s recovery
is different
Psychosis is a condition
dition
n that af
affects
ffects the
the mind “Heads
He dsspace
Head ace gavee me
me the op
oppoortunity to “I remembeer how I felt to laugh
when theere has been
een some
soome lo
losss of contact
c ntact work
wor
rk through
through some
so e of the prprob
blems I had d How it felt to smile
with reality. Psychosis
osis can
can affe
affect
ect anyone.
anyone and
nd
d I saw
saw a glimmer of light wwhich
hich led me
me How it felt to love and be loved
Symptomms may include
ludee hearing
hearin voice
voices
es that away
awa
ay from
rom isola
isolatio
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on and desp
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de paair.”
ir.”
no one ellse hears, beli
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ving th
that
hat yo
youu are I begin to feeel real
being watched, followe wed
ed or pe
persecut
ersecuted
ted by “I w
was
as referred tto oH Headspace
eadspacee an and
nd with th heir
others or thinkingg in a confuse
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ed way.
way help
lp
p I was
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ps chosiss, A bright futture is patien
ntly waitinng
takin
ng control
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ather than itt contr
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ontrolling me.” on the hoorizon
Many peo ople aff
affected
cted b
byy psychosis can
an lose
lo For
Fo
or me to embark on
hope. It iss important
impor ant for
fo
or them to remember
rem
member “It ttook
ook
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trust
stt myself agai
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in And
An
nd with frriendshipip by myy side.
side.”
that: but
ut with
w
wiith
h the help o
off the wonde
wonder
wonderfu
rful
ul profession
professiona
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xtract from ‘A cold, hard, d
deead we
w
weight’
eight’
I sta
arted
a rted to gain confi
confidence a aga
gain.”
ain.”
● Peopl
ple can and
an do re
recover
ecover from
rom mmental
ental
health problem
problems
ms – and people
peoplle do eve
every
e ery day.
d . “I no
ow
ow know mys
myse
self better tha
an I did before
beforre.”

● Recoveery means
ans different
diffferent things
th
hings to “I w
woould
ld strongly
stron lyy advise
dvise peopple with men
m ntal
al
everybody andd is a process,
rocess,, a wayy of life
lif
life. health problems
heal lems to
t get
g help as soon as
possible.
posssible.
ible. The
Th
he faster
fas
f er you
o gett ssup
up
upport
pport the
th
● Having
g hopee iss crucial
ucial for re
recovery.
recovery
ecove y. quic
uicker
cker you
y u can recover.”
ecove
ve

“I want people
eo lee to
to know w that rreco
recov
ecovery
happens
haappens and it iss neverr too late.
lla
ate. There
Th
The
Fragments of the mind
is always hope.”

“Experienci
perienciing g mental hea
heealth
alth issues
issuees ne
need
dn’t
“Recovery is a deeply personal, unique process of changing
ruin
uin your lilife. The resilience
resilie
resilien
nce you llearn
lea
a
one’s attitudes, values, feelings, goals, skills and roles. It throughout
throughout
ughout your recovery
reco eryy can
c help you
is a way of living a satisfying, hopeful and contributing with
h whate
whatevver it is yo
you w want
ant to achieve.”
achieve.
achievee.”
life, even with the limitations caused by illness.”

Anthony, W.A. Recovery from Mental Illness (1993),

Psychosocial Rehabilitation Journal. 16, 4.