Helen Piper (Co-Founder)

I have been battling with Agoraphobia, Anxiety and Depression since 2006. Prior to becoming unwell I was a Children’s Nurse in the NHS, a job which I really enjoyed and miss greatly.

During my illness I have experienced both good and bad care. Now I have been discharged from NHS services I have found that there is a lack of support to help me to continue improving so that I can get back to work. 

I feel passionately now about highlighting the needs of people who have some form of mental health issue, as the help is not there when you need it; you have to be significantly unwell before you can get the help you need. Then when you improve sufficiently you are discharged with no continuing care. 

Having experienced both sides of the NHS as a provider of services and now a recipient of those same services, I can see and understand what improvements need to be made.  There are very few places that offer support to people in recovery, and most of these also need a referral from Mental Health services.  Also most of the referral groups are not appropriate for people who are really trying hard to move forward and regain their full independence. 

So when Katharine suggested forming a group to combat this issue, I decided to help out.  Being involved in Mind the Gap has significantly helped me in my recovery and gaining back the confidence I lost.