Michael Bryzak
I joined MHFA England in July 2010 as Communications and Marketing Manager. The role covers liaising with our instructor network, managing the MHFA website, helping develop and brand new and current products, creating and disseminating newsletters, applying for funding and anything else I can help with that needs doing.
I was told about the role in MHFA by a friend and after speaking to and meeting with Poppy and Chris, I was very excited and happy to start the job.
I completed a degree in Marketing and Communications at London Guildhall University and went straight into a job as a Housing Officer at a large University Halls of Residence. This involved managing the bookings, finance and behaviour in the buildings and populating and developing the website. We also dealt with many students who had mental health issues and then it was hard to know how to deal with the situations properly. Of course I have my own experiences with mental health and have friends who have been through hard times. I play guitar and sing/scream in a band and organise and market music festivals, so creative promotion and websites have always been close to my heart! I also help run a small community church in Camden, London so leading, looking after and encouraging people who are going through difficult times is something I feel called to.
Since working at MHFA I have learnt a lot about mental health and how it can have an effect on anybody and everybody! I've learnt to spot things in friends and family and now know if there is anything else I need to do. MHFA England is constantly growing and evolving for the better and it's amazing to do a job that I enjoy and am always learning new things and being stretched. The team is great, with lots of optimism and energy, I find it a very positive place to work and am genuinely looking forward to our future achievements.
