A 21-year-old student from Heaton has launched a mental health campaign after going through her own battle.
Alisha Zahid struggled with panic attacks when she was in Year 11 during the peak of her exams and she felt as though she didn’t have anyone to talk to.
She now wants to help others who don’t know where to turn to in her campaign "Behind the Obvious".
Alisha said: “My inspiration for starting the campaign comes from my personal experience with mental health.
“I suffer from panic attacks, and have often felt embarrassed about this fact, especially in front of my peers at school.
“However, after receiving support and becoming more open about my experiences, I now realise that there is nothing to be ashamed of and want to encourage other young people to speak out about their mental health."
It was also during a time when Alisha had lost someone close to her in 2020 after they took their own life.
She added: “It was unexpected, and nobody saw the signs.
“Mental health should be part of the curriculum.
“Behind every smile someone might be really struggling.
“You could be happy today and not tomorrow.”
Alisha currently studies psychology at the University of Central Lancashire and is a qualified mental health first aider for under 18s.
She is keen for other young adults to get involved and share their experience for her campaign to help raise awareness.
Alisha said: “I would like to share my campaign within the community to try and bring suicidal rates and mental health cases down within greater Manchester.
“Over the years I have expanded my campaign looked at how to help the wider community through charity work.
“I was really guided through everything when I helped out at Mind and I was given the confidence and idea to create a video, helping others, and being more open.”
Alisha also hopes to turn the campaign into a charity one day.
Follow @behindtheobviouscampaign on Instagram for more information.
If you're struggling with your mental health or are in crisis, you can call Samaritans free of charge on 116 123 - they're available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
You can also find support on their website here (www.samaritans.org).
If you have a story and something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at jasmine.jackson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @JournoJasmine.
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