I'm studying a masters degree in charity management and currently work in the charity world.
In my second year, I have to write a 15,000 word dissertation, and it's quite daunting.
Recent events have encouraged me to focus this on the topic of mental health but I have been aware of the potentially negative impact (triggers) this could have on me if I decided on doing something around OCD in men.
I've decided that I'd like to pitch the idea of adult male participation in children's charities following lived experience of childhood bullying, victimisation and associated factors. And I think I'm going to find this fascinating.
It's credit to the work that I did in therapy in my early 20s, which is why I feel I'm in a position to now talk about this topic. This area is the pits of the darkest times I experienced in my younger years at the hands of others, both in and outside of school, but this report won't be based on personal experience.
Bullying has a lasting impact on a person, I am learning. I do believe (personally) there is a link between my experience of bullying, the birth of my OCD and it's ongoing control, so I do need to be careful how I navigate through this as I work through therapy.
So I shall approach with caution.
I am keen to visit a number of children's charities to understand the depths of damage this experience can have on boys as they grow into men.
I have a story to tell, and given that I can't leave the experience in the past like I once thought, I can consider moulding it into something positive and that can help myself as well as others.
Stephen