Hey everyone! My name is Ronak and I'm looking to get involved in heading up the PsychStart programme this year.
A little bit about me: for two years before starting at Imperial I worked as an HCA on a medium-secure psychiatric unit. Working with individuals going through some of the most difficult periods of their lives and helping them get back on the road to the community was incredibly satisfying and taught me so much about psychiatry. I was able to watch consultants take on clinical decisions and work together with the nursing and other teams to deliver care that got people back home to their families. Speaking with these psychiatrists was always insightful for me, sparking an interest in the field and remaining a big driver in my application process to medical school, and that's why I feel that mentorship opportunities such as those offered by PsychStart are invaluable for us as future doctors in making the best of our time at university.
Alongside my work on the mental health ward, I also extensively volunteered with Shout, an online mental health crisis service, and this has given me significant experience of mental health systems and pathways here in the UK. Additionally, being my current year Wellbeing Representative and also employed by the College in multiple roles, I have the knowledge, organisation and canvassing skills to lead PsychStart and provide the best possible experience for participants. I hope that I can rely on your support.