Meet Our Youth board

Adam Gross

Hi, I’m a university student passionate about making a difference and helping others. I enjoy reading mindfulness, and long walks!

Why did you choose to become a member of the youth board?
I become a member of the youth board to help others as I know what it feels like to be in a low place. I want to help others and show that we are all so much more than our current difficulties.

I am Beyond…
a label, I am me.

Adam Mallaby

In three words: books, writing, Lana Del Rey (not quite three words but you get the gist!). Comms/PR by trade, focusing on the LGBT+ community. Mental health advocate. Keen gardener, writer, reader, baker.

Why did you choose to become a member of the youth board?
Growing up wasn’t the easiest but I always had an amazing support network of friends and family, which helped massively. There was also no social media. Today, it’s a very different world out there. I want to give something back and to show that you can do anything / overcome anything that you put your mind to, and that it’s okay to have bad days! I really hope to bring a focus on supporting LGBT+ youth and overall wellbeing.

I am Beyond…
emotional (literally cry at anything, and I’m okay with that!)

Anaiya Gohil-Thorp

I’m Anaiya, an A Level student from London. I’m particularly passionate about psychology and neuroscience, and I hope to study these subjects at university. I’ve been involved in various initiatives to campaign for mental health and have advocated for wellbeing within schools, taking part in a programme which supports younger students with their wellbeing. I look forward to working with the rest of the Youth Board and giving young people the voice that they deserve!

Why did you choose to become a member of the youth board?

I’m incredibly passionate about removing the stigma surrounding mental health, and allowing young people’s voices to be heard. It’s essential that we are given the opportunity to openly articulate our thoughts when it comes to mental health, and to be taken seriously by those around us. As a member of the Youth Board, I hope to encourage people to speak out about their experiences and find ways to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives, ensuring that everyone is given the support they need, and that no one feels as though they are alone.

Antonio Ferreira

I am a 23-year-old student at the University of Essex, originally from London, and I’m studying Psychology with Cognitive Neuroscience. During my teenage years, I was diagnosed with Schizophrenia and Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder. While I am extremely passionate about changing the narrative on mental health, I am also passionate about other things e.g. Football: I am a Manchester United fan and I also coach football. I also enjoy learning new languages: I can speak 4 other languages.

Why did you choose to become a member of the youth board?
When I left my mental health hospital, I told myself that I had to use my experience to shed hope on others who end up in a similar situation to mine. Including those who are still hopeless. I focused on becoming stronger and more resilient. It was difficult at first, but I found that drive and I became devoted to inspire and motivate others. My ambition is to go beyond. I felt a good place to express this drive would be at Beyond.

I am Beyond…
My past and ahead of my future

Ava-Lilly

My name is Ava-Lilly. I am 11 years old I live with my mom and dad my big brother mason and my little sister bella. I have a pet cat and its my dream to own a horse of my own and have a pet french bulldog.

Why did you choose to become a member of the youth board?
I was bullied and it made my brain go all weird, my mental health was very poorly because of the bullies and i dont want other people to feel the same way i did. Jonny and Louisa are going to help me to stop this happening from other children.

I am Beyond…
my bullies

Ayla Lyn Jones

I come from a small town in South Wales called Port Talbot. From a young age I knew I wanted to make a difference some way or another, and despite leaving school with no formal qualifications due to mental ill health – I am now currently studying to become a mental health nurse, as I knew I had to turn my own struggles into strength and to make a change.

Why did you choose to become a member of the youth board?
Being a part of the Beyond family has shown me that no matter what label I may have been given, we all have the ability and power to make a difference by using our own voices – Beyond has given me the self-belief, strength and courage to do so.

I am Beyond…
a label

Brady Isaacs Pearce

My name is Brady Isaacs Pearce and I am 23 years old. I am an actress, singer, and gal with lots of hobbies! I find so much joy in life- which is ironic for someone that manages a depressive disorder and a personality disorder. After receiving these diagnosis, I advocated for myself to receive funding for my therapy; a dialectical behavioural therapy program that has changed my life. I feel incredibly passionately that this therapy and skill set should be widely accessible and that recovery is possibly, when you choose to fully commit to it.

Why did you choose to become a member of the youth board?
Since being lucky enough to be on the youth board for Beyond, I have been welcomed into this buzzing hub of support, inspiration and honesty. Beyond has helped me to find my voice and given me the chance to amplify it; taking a stand against something that all of us had once found completely all-consuming. I am certain that after reading my fellow members stories, you can understand why I feel so privileged to be working alongside the most passionate, brave and intelligent people.

I am Beyond…
despair

Courtney Louise Peet

Hello, my name is Courtney and I’m 23. I am from the LGBTQ+ community and I have been on a roller-coaster of a journey with my mental health. From being bullied during education, to homeless at 17 and now being a mental health ambassador for Youth mental health. I have worked with NAViGO for almost 3 years, I am currently a Community Representative and None Executive Director for our membership board. I pride myself in this role as I feel not only young people, but all people deserve a voice.

Why did you choose to become a member of the youth board?
I wanted to be apart of this youth board because I LOVE everything it stands for. It has given me a platform to use my knowledge to shape and help others.

I am Beyond…
labels and stereotypes

Freya Jahan Sullivan

I’m Freya and I am 13! I enjoy history and I love to bake brownies. I live with my mum and brother half the time and my dad the other half.

Why did you choose to become a member of the Youth Board?

Because I find it good that children and young people are getting the opportunity to use their own voices.

Gabriella

I’m Gabriella. I’m 13. My aunt sadly died from suicide when I was 8 and since then I have suffered from anxiety on stage and in school. During my time at Yavneh, in year 7 I suffered from severe anxiety and missed three months of school because of it. It was an awful experience and since then I have helped out with anyone I know suffering with anxiety to as I know how it feels to be in that situation. I love playing sports such as football and find it a great distraction from any hardships.

Why did you choose to become a member of the youth board?
I know many people who suffer from a mental health disorder and I would like to help them as I know how it feels.I’m hoping to get my school involved with this charity too so they can become more aware of mental health in school.

I am Beyond…
Excited to participate in this charity

Gaia Brignone

Born and raised in London to Italian parents, I am a true Britalian at heart. My own lived experience with mental ill health has had a transformative impact on my life and has driven me to dedicate both my personal life and professional career to helping move the dial on mental health. In 2020 I joined NM Impact, a non profit that facilitates radical collaboration across investment & philanthropy to support global mental health.

Mental health IS health and my aim is to spread this message!

Why did you choose to become a member of the youth board?
Addressing mental health will require high degrees of collaboration. I joined Beyond’s youth board for this exact reason – to meet like-minded people that share my passion and to work together to enact change. So far it has been an inspiring journey and one that I look forward to continuing.

I am Beyond…
the lack of education around mental health.

George Taktak

George Taktak is an artist, activist and entrepreneur. He is the founder of How Mental, a global movement of over 600,000 people making wellbeing a global priority. George uses his personal experiences of depression, anxiety and suicidal tendencies to humanise mental healthcare. His mission is to ensure the right support is accessible to all. Some of the values I hold closest to my heart, and impart on this mission are: Respect, curiosity, self-expression, empathy, vulnerability and FUN!

Why did you choose to become a member of the youth board?
I believe in possibility. The opportunity to cultivate healthy minds from an early age opens up infinitely more possibilities for the future of society. We already know what we’ve done to date simply does not work. So, focusing on young people’s mental health is fundamental. Plus, kids unlock the element of fun which I feel is sorely missed in most conversations around mental wellbeing. At the end of the day, the mind is an incredibly deep source of curiosity and so, I think the freedom to bring a playful mentality to this domain is something I seek.

My childhood was not so pretty. I was abused both physically and emotionally by my father. I know what it means to be dealing with such trauma later in life. If I can do anything to equip young people with what they need…so they don’t have to wait as many years as I did for their mind to go completely awry. Then I’m here to try. 🙂

I am Beyond…
words

Georgina Gordon

I am currently in Sixth Form studying Psychology, Art and Drama. After struggling with my mental health most of my life, I was diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder and ADHD which I continue to make progress with everyday.

Why did you choose to become a member of the youth board?

I wanted to join so I can stop the stigma for both BPD and ADHD, and educate others about mental health to not only stop assumptions about someone through their diagnosis, but also to educate others to help prevent worsening mental health.

Jacob People

Hi all. I am Jacob, 23 and I am incredibly passionate about mental health, particularly that of young people and the LGBTQ+ community. Campaigning as a Youth Activist for YoungMinds was my first step into campaigning for better mental health services. Alongside my campaigning work, I am studying to become a Psychotherapist, I love baking (particularly brownies), playing on my Xbox and chilling out with friends.

Why did you choose to become a member of the youth board?
I chose to become a member of the Youth Board as I am incredibly passionate about mental health with my own lived experience of depression and PTSD. I lost my best friend to suicide back in 2015 when he was only 17 years old. I wish for all young people to know about mental illness, to know where they can seek support but also, to have knowledge on what to do if they think one of their friends is struggling. A world where young people feel safe to share how they feel without judgment and shame.

I am Beyond…
Stigma and social isolation

Jeremy Lyons

My journey so far has been defined by a series of unusual transitions between very different circumstances. I went to 7 different schools, including a couple of years in Ghana. During the pandemic, I left a Marketing-tech company to complete an MSc in psychology after already having a master’s in engineering. I now take pride in representing a growing minority of black men with a professional background in wellbeing and aspire to becoming licensed therapist.

Why did you choose to become a member of the youth board?

My sister and I founded an initiative for peer to peer support for students, which involves coordinating volunteers and societies across multiple universities. The initiative has provided the training, opportunities and resources necessary to create inclusive communities, raise mental health awareness and facilitate personal growth. During this time I have learned you need people to make a difference, more importantly people who represent the necessary values. Beyond has shown these values through every campaign, event and most notably across the conversations I have had with any of the youth board.

Josh Davidson

My mental health journey started in primary school when I started to have anxiety attacks. At the time, I didn’t quite know what anxiety was and its cause. My anxiety became stronger in force and more frequent. This led me to go to a psychologist who taught me different techniques and coping mechanisms. From this experience, although my anxiety attacks still occur, I feel stronger to deal with my mental challenges and hope to be able to help others with theirs too.

Kadra Abdinasir

Kadra is Head of Children and Young People’s Programmes at the Centre for Mental Health and leads on their research and policy work to help improve the lives of children and young people. As part of her role, she is also Strategic Lead for the Children and Young People’s Mental Health Coalition. Kadra is also an organiser at #CharitySoWhite, a grassroots group seeking to dismantle structural racism in the charity sector.

Why did you choose to become a member of the youth board?
I’m really passionate about young people’s mental health and joining the youth board provides an exciting opportunity to share my expertise, personal experience and help amplify the voices of young people affected by mental health problems. I really value the youth-led approach Beyond take, particularly on how the organisation facilitates engaging conversations and events.

I am Beyond…
young people not being listened to or taken seriously

Kai

I am a 16 year old, A-Level student, studying: Law, Psychology, and Sociology. I live in a low-income, diverse community in the West End of Newcastle. For several years, I have been suffering from Mental Illness, and in February 2020 I made an attempt on my life – this changed everything. Almost two years later, I am an advocate of Mental Health in teens; as well as a passionate speaker on racial discrimination and knife crime. In my free time, I like to relax a catch up on Eastenders!

Why did you choose to become a member of the youth board?
I’m 16 years old. I am an “ethnic minority”. I suffer from Mental Illness – to many, I have the odds stacked up against me, and for the longest time I have fought to challenge this belief. After my suicide attempt, I was seen by an adult psychiatrist, who told me “use this to get people to notice, you can make a difference”. As a result, I created my own Mental Health project only a month later.

I know that, with the right support and the right platform, I can use my story to inspire the masses. Already, with the impact I’ve had on those in my local community, I am making a difference – but this isn’t enough.

My passions lie in giving a voice to the voiceless. To giving hope to the hopeless. And in making those who can make the biggest impact, understand where they are failing. With the support of the Youth Board, I believe I can make this happen.

Nobody should feel alone.

I am Beyond…
feeling like I’m not enough.

Lily Behan

Lily is a recent event management graduate who is eager to get involved in events and activities to ensure the voice of young people is heard. She is dedicated and passionate about changing the stigma connected to mental health, specifically targeting those who may feel hesitant to seek help and remind people that it is ok to not be ok.

Why did you choose to become a member of the youth board?
I chose to become a member of the youth board because I want to positively influence the lives of young people. I am so passionate about mental health and I wish I had something like this when I began my journey.

I am Beyond…
ready and excited for the future of Now and Beyond.

Louise Lyons

I am a 21 year black woman who is passionate about mental health advocation and equality, diversity and inclusion. My core value is my compassion for those who are suffering in society whether it is obvious or not. I love learning and discussing the most important topics that affect society. I am particularly passionate about student Mental Health having co-founded the initiative BreatheUni with my brother Jeremy, which brings together students in a peer support setting.

Why did you choose to become a member of the youth board?

One of my other core values is family. To me Beyond represent a family of likeminded individuals who are committed to creating a more healthy and inclusive society. I am honoured to be given the platform that is needed to continue making social change. I also hope to gain more support in overcoming my anxiety and being a relatable voice for young people.

Lyra Leyton

Hi, I’m Lyra! I’m a warm-hearted soul who has had my own ups and downs. I am 10 years old and I love all sports, I think i’m obsessed. I live in London with my mum, dad and little brother Charlie. My favourite things are: netball (well all sports really), the Isle Of Man, fashion, and Taylor Swift. I am proud to be on the Youth Board because I have gone through hard times and I want to be helpful to others and help get them through their struggles. I have open arms to anyone, I’m here to help. I believe we are all amazing in our on way and we should all love who we are.

Why did you choose to become a member of the Youth Board?

Because I have struggled with anxiety, bullying and depression. Since I have had my own difficulties, I’d like to help other people with their mental health.

Megan Kwok

Megan came over to the UK from Hong Kong when she was 13 and truly experienced the mental health care + stigma disparities between the two cities, and has thus made it her mission to ensure mental health equity to all, across cultures, genders, races, and even countries.

Why did you choose to become a member of the youth board?

I’ve been a part of many different mental health organisations, but through my work over the past few years, I’ve realised that true tangible change can only be created by those who have experienced or have witnessed the problems they are trying to solve. By being in the youth board, I hope to share my own experiences as well as learn from others about mental health from a first-person perspective and truly change London, and the UK as a whole.

Muhammad Abz Abby

Why did you choose to become a member of the youth board?
Every child should feel supported and empowered, whatever the challenges they face. I’m here to challenge the stigma of mental health, particularly within minority communities. I also hope to start more conversations about the impact of racism and discrimination on young people’s mental health.

I am Beyond…
Not being true to myself. I am enough.

Olivia Woodward

I currently work as a paralegal at the Centre for Military Justice and start as a trainee lawyer at Bates Wells in August. I am someone who is passionate about creating change and working with others to achieve it, in any aspect of life. Outside of work, I love to cook and host friends for dinner parties and have started learning to bake although this is definitely a work in progress! I also love to travel and explore new places and can’t wait for the chance to do so again.

Why did you choose to become a member of the youth board?
I started my mental health journey aged 15 where I felt out of control in life and needed to gain it back, which led to a hidden development of anxiety and depression. I want to be a youth board member to help other young people not feel alone and to open up the dialogue and space to support each other and learn how to live with our mental health.

I am Beyond…
keeping quiet about my mental health

Rhys Dickinson

I am 25, currently live in London and work for Cancom. I am a trustee and ambassador of Embrace CVOC a charity that supports children and their families that are harmed by crime. I am a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, I suffered from anxiety and depression and now share my experiences to inspire others that are suffering, that no matter what you have been through, there is help and support here and you can achieve your dreams

Why did you choose to become a member of the youth board?
I chose to join the youth board after speaking to Jonny and hearing his story and the charities mission, suffering mental health problems myself as a result of a crime. I knew the impact we could have on supporting young people’s mental health. To remove the stigma and through the power, we have as a collective to create meaningful change.

I am Beyond…
being ashamed

Ricky di Borgoricco

Ricky is a A-level student and a passionate Londoner. He enjoys basketball and anthropology. Since 2022 I have helped Ukrainian children settling into the English school system, helping out with Maths, English and Science and preparation for GCSEs. Ricky is interested in how we could help asylum seekers to better integrate into the receiving communities.

Why did you choose to become a member of the youth board?

Because it is still not easy to say “hey, I am not well”. Because Beyond is a celebration, a festival of inclusion, awareness and information.

Tanya Marwaha

As a young person with disabilities of ethnic minority, I’m passionate about improving mental health education and support access for other young people. I blog about my life with chronic health conditions and its impact on my mental health on the Chronically Strong blog. I run a youth-led organisation Championing Youth Minds, to help young people care for their mental wellbeing daily. I want to make mental health education and support accessible to all, especially in the South Asian community.

Why did you choose to become a member of the youth board?

I wish I had the appropriate awareness and support when I was growing up struggling with my mental health, especially with representation of the section of society that I am from. After listening to Jonny speak at the Hope For Life UK 2021 Conference I felt that Beyond is doing exactly what I have always needed as a young person. I want to make sure no young person like myself feels alone or without support, I want to normalise conversations about our mental health especially in communities where mental health is extremely stigmatised and poorly understood.

Zara Qaisar

I’m a mental health and education activist. Currently I’m the Campaign delivery officer for ‘Educate2Youth’, a young cabinet member and a CFR (UNICEF) ambassador. I can speak Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi and English, as well as being able to read Arabic and I’m learning German! I also own a small business, where I paint canvases and candles inspired by the art style known as mendhi (henna), and I do henna on others for special occasions. In my spare time, I love to watch and review films!

Why did you choose to become a member of the youth board?

Like many of us, I’ve had experiences with mental health, but I was incredibly lucky to have the support of my family and friends by my side. The sad reality is that not everyone has a strong support system close to them, and not only is this a want in society but a need. Thousands of young people suffer with the repercussions of mental health, and all of them deserve an adequate and safe support system. I hope to be a strong asset to the Youth Board and the meaningful work which Beyond delivers.