Lily attends, Art in Mind- an organisation supported by BBC Children in Need

When I was younger and I was at school I always felt I was very different to everyone. I never had any proper friends, I was always an outcast and was never invited over to anyone’s house or to any parties. I only had one true friend the entire way through school.

I would spend break times sat by myself with no one to play with and when I asked to play with other children, they would tell me that they weren’t playing anything and walk away. This made me very upset as I couldn’t understand what I had done. I was very anxious and started to develop multiple issues with my self-confidence and how I saw myself.  My mum noticed that I wasn’t very well, and she was very worried about me and my safety.

During covid my mum decided to home school me, as this was the best decision for me as it was the start of my journey in getting better. My also mum paid for a private diagnosis which resulted in me being diagnosed with autism. This made a massive difference to me and my life as I finally felt like I understood a piece of me and helped me learn to love myself and the way I am and the way I see the world.

To try and improve my mental health, I started going to a group in Brighton called Art in Mind.

Art in Mind uses art as a way of therapy to help people who suffer from all different types of mental health struggles.

It is a safe place where we can meet up and do art. The environment there makes us all feel safe to be our true selves.

I love going to Art in Mind, I have been going around 2.5 years, and I find it very good for my mental health.

When I am stressed and anxious I love to go to the beach, sit with my thoughts and paint. I sometimes paint waves to express the anxiety that I feel, as the waves represent what emotions can feel like.

Going to Art in Mind has helped me make friends that do not judge me, and I can feel myself and relaxed around. Without Art in Mind, I’m not sure that I would be as happy as I am today.