MindOut Director honoured by University of Brighton

Helen Jones, a leading mental health worker has been awarded the honorary degree of Master of Arts in recognition of her outstanding contribution to public service in the field of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer mental health.

Helen received her honorary degree during the University’s summer graduation ceremony at the Brighton Dome on 26 July. She was presented by Professor David Taylor, Dean of the College of Social Sciences.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, Helen Jones, said: “I feel very honoured. This means a lot to me personally, but more importantly it is a recognition that the mental health issues facing LGBTQ communities are both a legitimate and urgent field of study and of community development. MindOut is a great example of how Universities and community organisations can work together to create social change.”

Helen helped to found local mental health project MindOut in Brighton & Hove 17 years ago in response to the demand for services to meet the needs of LGBTQ communities.

She has worked in mental health for many years, as a service manager, psychotherapist, counsellor and advocacy worker, and prior to that as a psychiatric nurse. She is passionate about empowerment, peer support and service user participation.

For more information about MindOut, click here: