During my MSc in Clinical Health Psychology at Queen’s University Belfast, I had the opportunity to complete a placement with New Script for Mental Health, a campaign supported by Participation and Practice of Rights (PPR). Coming from the South, this experience offered me a valuable perspective on Northern Ireland’s political landscape and the realities of its mental health system. It was an engaging and eye-opening placement, and I felt consistently welcomed, supported, and valued by the team.

Working alongside a human rights based NGO provided insight that extended far beyond academic learning. One of the most significant aspects of my placement was developing an understanding of the structural challenges facing mental health services in Northern Ireland. While public discourse often focuses on issues such as funding shortages or long waiting lists, I learned that these problems are part of a broader system characterised by gaps in accountability and the repeated failure of government commitments to translate into meaningful, accessible care.

Through my involvement in the campaign’s work, I observed how these systemic shortcomings directly impact individuals and communities. Hearing lived experience testimonies and engaging with advocacy efforts highlighted the disconnect between policy promises and real world outcomes.

One particularly striking reflection that came to me was that an activist once said, “nothingness of inpatient mental health services,” capturing a sense of absence of meaningful care, support, and effective intervention, experienced by those within the mental health care system. It became evident that, despite ongoing recognition of the crisis in mental health provision, there remains a persistent lack of urgency and responsibility at governmental level in delivering adequately funded and effective supports that are trauma informed, person centred and accessible.

Another important area of learning for me was the interpersonal and emotional dimension of this work. I had the opportunity to attend and contribute to meetings where sensitive and often traumatic topics were discussed. This required careful listening, respect, and an awareness of how to engage appropriately and ethically in such spaces.

I developed a greater appreciation for the importance of creating supportive environments where individuals feel safe to share their experiences, as well as the responsibility involved in representing and amplifying these voices.

The placement also strengthened my understanding of advocacy in practice. I saw how sustained engagement with policymakers, combined with evidence-based approaches and lived experience narratives, can begin to influence political conversations. Although progress can be slow and, at times, frustrating, the persistence of the New Script team demonstrated the importance of continuing to challenge systems and push for reform.

Overall, this experience has had a lasting impact on both my academic and personal development. It deepened my understanding of the complexities within mental health systems and reinforced the importance of accountability, rights based approaches, and meaningful participation from those directly affected. It also highlighted the emotional intelligence required when working in this field, particularly when engaging with difficult and sensitive subject matter.