Profile

From a young age, sensitivities manifested themselves as obsessive-compulsive disorders beginning with tourettes syndrome, later transfering to a fifteen-year eating disorder. To cope with this, in my teenage years I turned to recreational drugs for confidence, self-esteem & general social acceptance. Little did I realise the consequences, when suddenly I was spinning on the underside, in an underworld and loosing my marbles rapidly.

In my early twenty’s I encountered a nervous breakdown, became a life threatening danger to myself and was admitted to a psychiatric unit/day care centre for acute mental illness for the best part of a year. Since then, recovery has been a long, slow but steady process.

Mental health is inherent in our family and my experience of recreational drugs made it all the more challenging to identify and deal with. Journeying to improved well being has been the result of natures gift for healing: a diet rich in organic plant based living foods, plant medicines, gardening, family/friend and professional support! This nature inspired path to healing has allowed me to remain hospital free and reduce medication, a lifestyle I would heartily recommend to anyone with health challenges.
 
Despite mental health being part and parcel of my life, I am discovering ways to cope and manage in a world where 'mental health' is still very much stigmatised. Little steps, little steps. The clarity and creativity that natural healing brings, inspires, encourages and manifests on so many levels, is something I wish to share with people through my personal experiences.

Emma is qualified by the UK Centre for Living Food, currently studying Biomedicine, Naturopathy and Herbal Medicine.