PEOPLE battling mental health problems have graduated from courses to support their condition.

Students were awarded certificates from Brighton and Hove Recovery College during a ceremony at the Brighthelm Centre in North Road.

The college offers recovery-focused courses and workshops over three terms each year.

In the past 12 months, more than 900 students enrolled on to 100 different courses and workshops, all co-produced and delivered by peer tutors.

These tutors have their own experience of mental health, and the courses are also run by a clinical or specialist trainer.

One student, who asked not to be named, said, “Two years ago I was hospitalised for the first time and it suddenly made me realise I had to change my life to recover and get better.

“I heard about Brighton and Hove Recovery College from my psychiatrist.

“There’s a very calm atmosphere.

“All the staff are very welcoming and I knew I’d be able to talk to them. I’ve definitely increased in confidence.

“Learning has also made me more alert, improved my memory and made me more interested in things in general.

“I always felt very insecure and lacked confidence due to my experiences.

“I always thought I had no skills.

“I feel I’ve become more employable since attending the Recovery College courses.”

Established in 2014, the Brighton and Hove Recovery College is provided by not-for-profit organisation Southdown in partnership with the Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

It is one of three campuses of the Sussex Recovery College.

Harriette Cusdin, East Sussex lead occupational therapist at the Sussex Partnership NHS Trust, has worked closely with the college for five years.

She said: “I was so proud to be a part of the graduation event, celebrating the success of the students.

“Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust successfully works in partnership with Southdown’s Recovery services to deliver a fantastic range of courses to increase awareness and understanding of recovery and self-management whilst reducing stigma relating to mental health.”

An open day for prospective students interested in enrolling on to courses in the autumn term is on September 5 from 11.30am to 3.30pm at the Brighthelm Centre.

Visit www.southdown.org, email recoverycollege@southdown.org or call 01273 749 500.