Young people tell the BBC that GMYN’s youth voice session has ‘destigmatised’ ADHD and made it something to be proud of 

Young people who attend GMYN’s ADHD youth voice sessions have told the BBC that the group has ‘destigmatised’ the condition and made it something to be proud of.

Reporters from BBC Radio Manchester attended a GMYN ADHD youth voice session this summer and spoke to young people about their experiences.

Hannah Molloy, 22, from Tameside told the BBC: “”Coming here has made me feel that ADHD is something to be proud of. I didn’t actually want a diagnosis because there’s a lot of stigma around ADHD and I think coming here has destigmatised that.”

GMYN offers a monthly session for 13 to 25-year-olds with lived experience of ADHD, with or without an official diagnosis. The sessions help young people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) to have a deeper understanding and acceptance of the condition.

Young people who attend the sessions, run by project coordinator Chloe Bettridge, also get to socialise and give feedback to NHS commissioners about their views of services in the region. 

The ADHD Youth Voice group is currently making a zine to raise awareness of the condition that will be shared with schools, GPs, and other health services.

Bethany Carter-Roberts, an illustrator from Northamptonshire, was diagnosed with ADHD in 2022 and has been helping the group to express their feelings using art.

Bethany told the BBC: “I really hope it empowers them. I think it will be really meaningful for them to see something physically created that represents their voice.”

Ruwaydah, 25, from Manchester, said she hopes the drawings in the zine will help to educate people about what ADHD really is.

She told the BBC: “I’ve drawn this kind of weird, blobby, alien-type ghost thing, and it’s got a little mask on because I feel like a lot of people with ADHD end up masking and you can’t really see what they’re actually feeling.

“People think that ADHD just means you’re a little quirky, or a little bit silly, and they don’t actually realise the deeper implications that it can have on your life.”

Project coordinator Chloe said: “The young people said even though they were nervous it was really important for them to speak to BBC Radio Manchester as they are really passionate about supporting the next generation of young people with ADHD. Making sure that things are easier for them and they don’t have to suffer in the way they have.”

Read the BBC’s full story here

Find out more about GMYN’s youth voice sessions here

For more information on the group and future projects contact the project coordinator Chloe Bettridge by sending an email to [email protected]