Winners Directory

Olivia-Louise Hamilton

Founder, MD & Lead Trainer of Changing Minds Training

Mental illness has been the reality of my life for over a decade having first struggled with bulimia as a young teen, to then experiencing depression and finally, receiving a personality disorder diagnosis in my early 20's.

​I have had first hand experience of suicidal thoughts, self-harm and alcohol misuse and I've dealt with both the stigma and discrimination that comes with these. I understand the degradation that accompanies the removal of your freedom of choice when you no longer have the mental capacity to make decisions for yourself and, I know the pain of supporting a loved one with mental illness all too well.

In stark contrast, I have also experienced the overwhelming power of support, understanding and compassion that has been fundamental to my recovery. I have lived in and observed a society that is taking baby steps to challenge and change the negativity that surrounds mental ill-health and I aspire to be part of the huge steps forward we will continue to take.

I have such a wealth of knowledge, experience and skills acquired from a vast amount of personal and professional exposure to mental illness and so grew Changing Minds Training.

I am enormously passionate about making mental health an every day conversation and I'm advocating for a world where nobody is ashamed or embarrassed about having a mental illness.

My mission is to empower each and every person with the skills, knowledge and compassion required to support the mental health of themselves and others and Changing Minds Training provide a growing number of training courses which aim to achieve just this.