Posted on: 9 June 2021

Not many people can say their physical health is monitored and supported by a world class, national record-breaking Olympic athlete, but CNWL’s mental health patients in Harrow have those bragging rights.

Cyrille Tchatchet II our Physical Health Lead Nurse for Harrow Inpatient and Community Mental Health Teams is off to compete in this year’s Olympic games in the weightlifting competition.

Cyrille’s story from weightlifter to Physical Health Lead Nurse is inspiring, he has shown as much strength in physically lifting unimaginable weights as he has done fighting personal mental health battles and supporting others struggling with their mental health.

Back in 2014 Cyrille took to the world’s sporting stage for the first time at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. What would be a time of excitement for a sportsperson was a difficult experience.

At the time Cyrille was representing Cameroon but after the Commonwealth Games he was afraid to return home for reasons he finds difficult to talk about. So, he took what he had with him and fled the Cameroon’s team base in Glasgow.

After leaving he travelled to Brighton where he slept rough for two months, during this time he struggled to buy food and water, he was only 19 years of age at the time.

Cyrille spoke about how he felt during this time:

"I was living under a bridge in a new city in a new country. I knew nobody. You just feel ashamed and that you're nothing. You feel suicidal all the time because you just think you're useless. It got to the point where I thought 'why am I even doing this? Why am I wasting time? Just kill yourself.”

At his lowest point, he saw a sign for the Samaritans helpline:

"Next to me I saw a number and it said if you're feeling low just call this number. I had some credit in my phone so I called them. They asked me where I am and I think they're the ones who called the police because then I saw the police car coming. The good thing is they stopped me.”

After being taken into police custody Cyrille’s asylum case to remain in the UK began, he was placed in an immigration removal centre before being rehoused in Birmingham. Two years later Cyrille received his leave to remain status, meaning he is able to live in the UK.

During those two years his mental health continued to suffer, to help he was prescribed antidepressants and his GP advised him to keep busy, so he turned to the sport he loved – weightlifting. He joined weightlifting clubs and started to compete in the UK.

Cyrille went on to break British records and has since become a British Champion competing in the 94kg class and 96kg class.

Through his darkest days with depression it wasn’t weightlifting that got him through but the kindness of professionals who offered their help and a place to go for support.

Cyrille said, “I wanted to work in the mental health profession after going through what I call scary things. I was looked after by my GP and some nurses who showed compassion, care and were very open and listened to me. I wanted to give back some of the support I had received.”

Through his own experiences, Cyrille brings a lot of compassion and understanding to his role as Physical Health Lead Nurse, “I enjoy engaging with my patients and being that person they can talk to openly without fear of being judged.”

As Physical Health Lead Nurse Cyrille ensures patients suffering with a severe mental illness have a comprehensive annual physical health check so they feel healthy and have a greater sense of self-esteem.

Competing at an Olympic level requires a lot of self-motivation. At work Cyrille channels his sportsperson-like motivation to help his patients by letting them know getting help isn’t a sign of weakness but the step that will make them better. He said, “When we feel physically unwell, we rush to our GPs without any second thoughts or fears of being judged. The same should apply to everyone suffering from any form of mental health problem. And going to seek help does not make you a weaker person and trust me you will feel much better after talking about it.”

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At this year’s Olympics Cyrille will represent the Olympic Refugee Team, he said, “I will be honoured to represent not just refugees but all the estimated 80 million displaced people around the world. I will also be representing my profession and the NHS!”

Maria O’Brien, CNWL’s Chief Nurse, said, “A huge congratulations from everyone at CNWL on making it to the Olympics, and for showing strength in weightlifting but also in championing mental health support and compassion and for being a nurse. Patients need to know there’s hope for a brighter future to feel better and your story is an inspiration to all those patients who need to know that. We can’t wait to show our support this summer - we’re all behind you.”