The lack of representation both at school and in society more broadly made me think that it would be very difficult to ever come out, let alone live a happy life as an openly LGBTQIA+ person.

I remember living my life feeling like an outsider, as all the people around me knew me for a person that I was not. This isolation was not just about being different; it was about feeling fundamentally alone in that difference.

This Mental Health Awareness Week, I am finding that these memories have come into sharp focus. I can reflect on how far I’ve come, and what exactly made the difference. The answer, for me, is predominantly dialogue and visibility.

I volunteer as an ambassador for Just Like Us, which means I speak to school pupils alongside other volunteers about my experiences growing up LGBTQIA+. When I give a talk, I delve into the common threads between the challenges I faced growing up, and the impact these had on my mental health, as well as the challenges which many LGBTQIA+ youth still face today. These discussions are less about providing answers and more about encouraging questions, fostering understanding, and promoting the kind of dialogue I wish that I had as a student.

Each session is an opportunity to emphasise that while individual experiences vary, there are similarities in the paths taken by many LGBTQIA+ people in navigating their sexuality and/or gender identity. By doing this, I hope to remind those in the audience that they are not alone and, in turn, make it that little bit easier for those in the audience who may be struggling.