3 Questions with Shilla Patel

I got involved with the NSPA in July 2021. I discovered the charity when I was looking for an organisation to sign up to for World Suicide Prevention Day for the London Fire Brigade, where I worked at the time as an Inclusion Manager. I currently work for a charity, Against Violence and Abuse (AVA) as a Training and Events Co-ordinator. I noticed there were further opportunities to train as a Lived Experience Influencer. I wanted to become involved as I have anxiety, depression and PTSD and have myself previously struggled with suicide ideation and attempts. As a woman with disabilities, someone from a Asian, Indian, Kenyan and LGBT+ background, I was initially anxious about the diversity of other members of the Lived Experience Influencer group. I had only really seen research on white males or young people, and so didn’t know whether others like me would come forward. This is due to the silence and stigma in our communities, but also we have rarely been reached out to.

To my surprise on the first online get together with NSPA, the diversity was incredible and it made me feel less alone in a world where we as individuals and communities can feel invisible and not heard. For me I wanted to be able to use my own lived experiences of the stigma I have encountered in my community, externally and when accessing services. I also wanted to utilise my expertise as a training and inclusion and diversity professional. I am really grateful to NSPA for empowering me to be able to share my experiences and abilities through the projects I have been involved with.