Anna Bowditch

She has been nominated for her contributions towards destigmatising mental health. 
Miss Bowditch is a nurse at the Medical Specialist Group and earlier this year published her memoir Me and My Shadow, documenting her personal journey with bipolar disorder. ‘My journey was lonely, and I wanted to make it less lonely for others suffering,’ she said. ‘I want people who can relate to me to feel encouraged and informed.’ 
Discussing the book, her nominator Michelle Vermeulen applauded Anna’s bravery in sharing her battle with mental health. ‘She is playing a pivotal role in helping alleviate the stigma by making mental health everybody’s business,’ she said. 
As an ‘expert by experience’ Miss Bowditch now sits on a professional panel with the aim of improving mental health services in Guernsey. Her memoir is also being used by those in the mental health field to educate staff. 
‘She has managed to turn the turmoil we saw her go through into a mental health triumph,’ said Mrs Vermeulen. 
‘She proves that nurses can get sick too, but they can recover and work with manageable mental health conditions. 
‘She is the most amazing person.’