“I love the feeling I get when I know I’ve helped someone” – a Think Ahead participant describes a typical week in the life of a mental health social worker

Sonya Chee, a Think Ahead social worker, described her typical working week to The Metro newspaper.

Sonya is a qualified social worker and is based in an early intervention in psychosis team in East London NHS Foundation Trust.

In the piece, she shares ways in which she’s supported people, one of whom is Rachel.

Rachel is a woman who first experienced an episode of psychosis after a traumatic incident in her life. Over several months, Sonya provided a range of therapeutic support, practical help and advocacy – including helping Rachel return to work.

Download the PDF to read the full piece in the Metro.

Reflecting on some of the people she has worked with, Sonya says, “I’m often the first person a service user and their family will turn to and that’s what I enjoy about mental health social work. It is so practical and holistic and we support people in all areas of their lives.”

“I love the work I do, and the feeling I get when I know I’ve helped someone to recover.”