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‘I feel like I have finally found myself’
To mark Mental Health Awareness Week, Oxleas service user Azmeena Azim, shares her mental health journey and explains how Charlton Athletic’s Mental Health (CACT) programme has played a key role in her recovery — helping her come out of her shell and rebuild her confidence.
Azmeena's personal journey through her years touches on bullying, mental health struggles, and isolation.
After graduating and enduring repeated job rejections, Azmeena's mental health worsened — resulting in a severe crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, she was diagnosed with psychosis, obsessive compulsive disorder, anxiety, and depression, and began receiving support through our Bromley EIP (Early Intervention in Psychosis) service .
With ongoing treatment and strong family support, Azmeena slowly started rebuilding her life. A major turning point came when she joined Charlton Athletic Community Trust (CACT) activities, which helped her step out of her comfort zone, rediscover joy, and build new friendships.
From animal park visits to adventure sports and a life-changing trip to Cornwall, CACT empowered Azmeena to overcome fears, gain confidence, and reconnect with the world around her.
Azmeena says: I’m very grateful to my family, Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust and CACT. Collectively, they saved me and not only that, they taught me how to live life to the fullest.
Now, Azmeena continues her recovery with gratitude and hope for the future.
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