Turning tragedies into triumphs: Meet support worker Kitty O’Brien
Peer support worker Kitty O’Brien has shared how she used her own traumatic experiences to create positive change with Social Care Today.
Before joining Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust’s (EPUNHST) Inpatient Peer Support Team, Kitty O’Brien faced immense misfortunes. For many years she suffered an abusive relationship, but even after breaking free Kitty’s adversities didn’t end. As a result of legal proceedings she faced further upset and was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and Ehlers Danlos syndrome – a rare inherited condition that affects connective tissue.
Image: Kitty O’Brien.
However, Kitty didn’t let any of the above destroy her, in fact she did the opposite. Kitty learned techniques to help her manage her mental and physical health and studied counselling and holistic health approaches. What’s more, she even began campaigning for women’s and children’s rights and wrote two books with an aim to inspiring others about how they can overcome challenges that seem impossible at the time.
Just last year Kitty spoke to government ministers to share her experiences of the legal system, data protection and how police investigate domestic abuse (DV) and communicate with victims and called for greater support for DV survivors.
‘My passion for helping others has always been a driving force in my life,’ Kitty said. ‘Becoming a peer support worker is a natural extension of my life experiences. I am dedicated to using my knowledge, empathy and resilience to create a safe and supportive space for others facing their own challenges.’
Kitty added: ‘As someone recently diagnosed with EDS, I understand the challenges of living with chronic illness. This experience, along with my son’s journey with autism and sensory difficulties, fuels more desire to support others facing similar struggles.
‘Acceptance, self-love, and faith are the cornerstones of my approach, both in managing my own conditions and in empowering others.’
Within her role at EPUNHST Kitty shares coping techniques that can help people manage their thoughts and feelings. She speaks with patients in one-to-one and group discussions, helps run activities and is currently helping to teach patients about financial wellbeing and money management skills as part of the Multiply programme.
Among everything, one of Kitty’s greatest achievements is her ability to be able to work with men again.
‘I thought I would never work with men but I’m working on the men’s ward so I’m really proud of how far I have come with my healing,’ Kitty remarked. ‘It’s really changed my relationship with men. It’s so rewarding to just go and brighten up someone’s day. Now When I see people becoming agitated or upset, I’m very good at jumping in and helping to de-escalate things.’
Kitty said: ‘Instead of being reminded of what’s happened to me in the past, I see people for who they are.’
Kitty’s efforts can’t be described as anything short of exceptional and it goes without saying that we need more people like her to drum up support for individuals affected by DV – now more than ever. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) there were 51,288 domestic abuse-related prosecutions in England and Wales for the year ending March 2023.
Feature image: Dan Meyers
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