Poppy Jaman
Poppy Jaman first joined Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) in England in 2006, and is the National Director of Mental Health First Aid CIC. Poppy provides creative, energetic leadership and efficient management to the central team in London and the virtual organisation that expands across England.
Poppy has worked in the field of mental health in a variety of positions since 1997. She started as a support worker befriending individuals and then team manager for mental health support services for minority communities in Portsmouth. She joined the NHS in 2004 as the south east England regional lead for race equality, a year later Poppy was also leading on the regions mental health promotion programme, both of these roles with the National Institute for Mental Health in England driven by the Department of Health.
In 2006, Poppy was invited to attend a training event called Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), in order to decide if it was something the south east region could benefit from. It was the simplicity of the messages delivered by MHFA and the energy and motivation amongst the team that inspired her to want to be at the heart of this programme, thus becoming involved in its development in England, and sharing a passion for expanding and disseminating the knowledge and skills MHFA delivers. MHFA fits with Poppy's personal drivers to create positive change in individuals' attitudes and behaviours on the topic of mental health consequently affirming the value base for a fairer society.
Whilst leading and growing MHFA England, Poppy is also nurturing two young daughters. Poppy has a Masters in Business Administration and is an executive coach, supporting and empowering senior managers within health and social care. Mental health wellbeing is personal for Poppy as she herself has lived experience of recovery from trauma and depression.
