My Discombobulated Brain aims to tackle the stigma associated with mental health head-on while offering a source of support and education to those who are affected by these issues. The charity came from the experience of what it was like to watch someone you love, and personally, go through mental health issues including the stigma that goes alongside it.
We are a small not-for-profit organisation with the ultimate goal of eradicating the stigma associated with mental health. We want to use our own personal experiences to help get the conversation started, share stories and be there to listen and support others with mental health conditions.
We are bringing our fight to the community too, visiting schools and workplaces to help spread the word and get the conversation started.
With 1 in 4 people suffering from a mental health condition, whether you suffer directly or know someone who does, we all have a story we can share. This is why we will only ever use real people’s stories told from their point of view, in order to help others see that they are not alone.
Our Aims
We have made sure that the committee for My Discombobulated Brain has people that enrich and support the aims of the organisation. These aims are:
- To educate young people and the significant adults in their lives how to have a reciprocal conversation about mental health.
- To provide tools to help people recognise and approach the topic of mental health between people.
- To raise awareness about mental health issues, and to help society overcome the stigma attached to mental health through different mediums.
- To provide insight and guidance to both public and private organisations on their approach to mental health and how to support each other.
- To collaborate with like-minded people, charities and businesses to achieve our goals
“Knowing that people get what it's like makes me feel more comfortable about what I experienced and still experience today; knowing that people also need help, just like I did at my lowest point, keeps me pushing forward. I love MDB because it helps me to be me- quirks and all- but also helps me have the confidence to help other people too.”
The Stories We Share
We guarantee 100% that we will ONLY ever use real people’s stories. These stories are from their point of view and can help others see what people with mental illnesses go through on a daily basis
Meet The Team
Laura Jane Dernie is the founder of My Discombobulated Brain and a freelance personal assistant. She is a 30 something mumma of two who after losing her best friend Jon at 18 to suicide, then experiencing mental health issues during and after both her pregnancies, she started My Discombobulated Brain.
Once speaking out about her Mental Health, she realised that people were in the same situation as her and also were suffering. She wanted people to realise that they weren’t alone and just by talking it can make the world of difference.
Charlotte Hopkins is a dynamic, highly motivated and experienced leader who is well respected by those She work with. She has a strong track record of achieving results by bringing vision, intuition and excellent communication skills that builds strength, resilience and clear direction. She is the Professional and Operational Excellence at Kinbee and is a substance misuse specialist.
Tom Hall is an experienced HR professional, currently operating as an HR Director. He has worked in the third sector since 2010 in both front line and non-operational support roles. Tom has experienced loss through ill mental health within his own family and is keen to put his professional knowledge and experience to good use to help further the aims of MDB.
Rogan Allport is a Cardiff based personal trainer, podcaster and writer. He has worked in the fitness industry for almost a decade and is no stranger to seeing the incredible power that strength and fitness has to change, and in some cases, save lives.
Having battled with his own issues regarding depression, anxiety, self-harm and suicide. His personal passion is to spreading awareness of Men’s mental health, and suicide awareness and to take a stand against the notion that, “big boys don’t cry.” Rogan hopes that through the efforts of all the team at Discombob, we can develop a culture and community centred around emotional openness, honesty, and personal development to stop people suffering in silence.
Jo Norton has had an amazing career in Leadership and Management within education and private industry establishments. She holds a PGCE, MSc in Leadership & Management and believes that any education or training programme should engage and challenge and is a strong advocate of the benefits that continuous professional development, at any level, can bring and is excited to bring her skils to MDB.
