Debs Teale

Debs is an advocate of creativity in health and wellbeing following her own remarkable journey. After being told by the “professionals” that she would always be medicated, ill and never work again, this spiralled Debs into a crisis. Having been in the mental health system for most of her life and heavily dependent on medication Debs believed the “expert” it took an art class to totally transform her life. She has been medication free for 13 years and out of services for nearly 9 years. She now works in her own business facilitating lived experience training and awareness sessions as well as consulting on project work and policies around mental health and wellbeing. She advocates creativity and social prescribing as an additional or complimentary service to improve wellbeing and offering hope and aspirations in a system that is at breaking point.

She has completed a MSc in mental health recovery and social Inclusion. Debs is a Trustee at the National Centre for Creative Health as well as a member of the Social Prescribing Network. She is involved in the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Creative Health. Debs works as a peer leader for the Yorkshire and North East mental health board with NHSE. She is also supporting lived experience in to Universities making sure the future of personal health care is holistic and is embedded in the training for students.

 Debs believes everyone has something to bring to the table, even if it is just themselves.

"I want to be a spokesperson because I want to encourage and support others to be able to tell their journey and have their voice heard."