Meet the Colourful Minds Team
Our diverse and dedicated team is made up of volunteers with a wealth of expertise in mental health, including psychiatrists, talking therapists, carers of individuals with mental health challenges, and professionals from a range of fields.
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Dr Julia Ogunmuyiwa, MBBS MRCPsych
General Adult Psychiatrist
Coming from a part of London, home to many ethnic diasporas I have always been curious about the way my community and the general public react to mental illness. I have witnessed firsthand the stigma and cultural barriers that often prevent individuals from seeking the mental health support they need. As a psychiatrist working in the NHS I have seen that mental health services are not well adapted to meet the unique needs of black and minority ethnic communities.This inspired me to create a space where education, awareness, and open dialogue could challenge these misconceptions, reduce stigma, and promote better mental health care access.
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Dr Oreoluwa Baikie, MBChb, BMedSci (Hons)
Foundation Year 2 Doctor
I was drawn to Colourful Minds because its mission matches my passions. As an aspiring psychiatrist, volunteering for a charity devoted to improving the mental health outcomes in our community was an opportunity too good to pass up.
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Anthonia Oyekan, BSc, MSc
Customer Experience (CX) Professional, Digital Experience Program Manager
While my professional background isn't in mental health, I was drawn to Colourful Minds because of its vital work supporting the mental well-being of black and ethnic minority communities. I am deeply passionate about creating safe spaces and equipping young people with the tools to manage their mental health. I believe social media is a powerful platform to raise awareness, foster open conversations, and make mental health resources more accessible to younger generations.
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Deborah Tetteh GMBPsS, BSC
Assistant Psychologist
I am passionate about acknowledging the role culture plays in both the expression, experience and treatment of mental health. Through volunteering with Colourful Minds, I hope to promote a holistic approach to supporting mental health in Global Majority communities. By participating in the sharing of knowledge and resources which emphasise destigmatisation, prevention, and effective treatment of negative mental health I am to aid colourful minds in ensuring that mental health is no longer a barrier to success.
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Oby Okwuosa
Finance Professional
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Marisa Isidore, MA Dramatherapy
Dramatherapist
I am a HCPC registered drama therapist, who trained at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. My experience lies in working with adolescents and young adults with anxiety and depressive disorders, trauma and PTSD.
I am passionate about addressing the gaps in mental health care that disproportionately affect those from the global majority, which has led me to being drawn to working with Colourful Minds. I feel inspired to be part of a movement that recognises mental health should be accessible to all, regardless of background.
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Angela Gabriel
Psychotherapist | Qualified with BABCP
I was drawn to Colourful Minds because of my deep passion for mental health and well-being. I admire the values and mission of the charity and felt inspired to contribute to its work. Through my practice, Virtual Therapy Group, I provide individual, couples and group therapy sessions. I’m thrilled to bring my skills and experience to support Colourful Minds’ efforts in serving the community.
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Kairo Maynard, BA, MA
Dramatherapist, TAPP Practitioner and Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist in Doctoral Training (DProf)
One of my main passions and interests is supporting ethnically marginalised communities in accessing mental health support and therapy training opportunities. By being apart of Colourful Minds, I am able to work with other health professionals who share the same goal of addressing health inequalities and racial injustices in mental health. Alongside offering education and consultation to the public on mental health difficulties.
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Dr Jessica Fletcher-Rogers, BSc, MBBS MRCPsych
General Adult Consultant Psychiatrist, Sex and Relationship Therapist
It's essential that mental health education is easily and readily available to everyone as it concerns everyone. This amazing organisation aims to do this as well as reduce stigma which can be high, especially in the Ethnic Minority communities. This is the reason I feel privileged to be a part of the team.
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Dr Samuel Oyekan, BSc, MBChB MRCPsych
Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist
As someone who grew up in South East London I was drawn to Colourful Minds for the opportunity to work with children with a similar background to me in order to raise awareness and reduce stigma around mental health. In my work role I thrive as an educator and so indeed this lends itself well to my activities within Colourful Minds.
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Dr Funmi Deinde, BSc, MBBS MRCPsych
Consultant Old Age Psychiatrist
The mental health needs of older adults from Black, Asian and other global majority groups are often neglected. Elderly people from these communities typically face difficulties when trying to access mental health services and support, especially in a timely manner. The reasons for this include racism, a lack of awareness, a lack of a proactive and culturally informed approach from services, and stigma. All of this is unacceptable and must be continually challenged and rectified. I feel privileged to be a part of Colourful Minds, where I get to work alongside like minded and passionate individuals where together we can educate, reduce stigma and improve outcomes for these communities.
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Mary Dehinbo, BSc Midwifery, MSc Public health
Director of Midwifery Gynaecology and Neonatal Services
I am director of midwifery with over 15 years of NHS experience. I have a passion and personal interest in perinatal mental health and perinatal and neonatal health inequality in Black and Minority Ethnic communities.
Colourful Minds is an opportunity for me to give back to the community and drive forward positive change and equality for Black and Minority Ethnic people.
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Folade Lawan, BSc, MSc
Project Manager & Health and Wellbeing Lead at Leaders Unlocked
Mental wellbeing is a vital part of good health but is still shrouded in stigma and shame, particularly in racialised communities. The wellbeing of those in our community is important to me. So, I joined the team to collaborate with others to be able to address challenges around this. I’m particularly interested in exploring the varied experiences of mental health in our community through an intersectional and asset focused lens as well as addressing the systemic factors that exacerbate these challenges.
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Ruth Badmus, BSc, MSc, CIPD
Senior HR Business Partner for the Haberdashers Academies Trust South
I always had a passion for promoting mental well-being in the workplace, especially seeking to de-stigmatise mental health issues and promoting healthy life choices to improve wellbeing, particularly in marginalised communities through training and coaching. In my role as one of the Trustees for Colourful Minds, I have been able to broaden my reach and resolve to positively support mental health for under-presented groups remains unflinching. Colourful Minds has had a lot of impact and influence in this space and I am humbled to bring my HR and commercial expertise to the team.