Published on: 30th July 2026
A young woman from Prestwich has spoken about how support from local mental health services helped her rebuild her life following a sexual assault.
Kelly, now 21, was 19 when she was sexually assaulted by a close female friend.
She was referred to NHS Bury Talking Therapies after experiencing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, including flashbacks, nightmares and overwhelming feelings of isolation.
She explained: “I felt like I’d totally lost who I was. I kept trying to push forward and make a positive fresh start at university, but I couldn’t bring myself to go on campus.”
Kelly arranged to complete her studies online, but as time went on, she became more isolated and anxious about leaving home. She was prescribed medication from her GP to help her mental health, but they weren’t effective.
She explained: “Nothing seemed to work. Whatever I tried, I just couldn’t move on and kept reliving it. I was scared that people would judge me if I spoke out, so I just kept it all in.”
Earlier this year, Kelly began to have thoughts of self-harm and suicide and knew something had to change. She added: “At my lowest, everything felt like a blur – like nothing was real. I didn’t see a future anymore.”
She self-referred and began working with Noreen Malik, cognitive behavioural therapist. At first, Kelly found it difficult to open up, but with time, patience and consistent support, she was able to talk about her experience and begin processing what had happened.
Kelly said: “Noreen didn’t give up on me. She was so kind and understanding, and she created a space where I felt safe enough to finally talk about everything.”
Through weekly sessions, Kelly was supported to face her experiences gradually, including working through a timeline of events that helped her process the trauma and understand that she was not at fault.
“She helped me see that I had nothing to be ashamed of and that my feelings were valid and normal. I knew then that it wasn’t my fault – which was a turning point for me. It helped me move forward.”
Therapy also meant Kelly understood the wider impact the sexual assault had on her, including the fear of ongoing harassment and the sense of betrayal she felt.
Noreen Malik, cognitive behavioural therapist added: “We worked together to go through her trauma and process the experience at a pace Kelly was comfortable with. With therapy, she has slowly rebuilt her confidence, come off medication and feels able to return to university and start socialising again.”
Kelly added: “What happened to me was awful, but I know I can get through it. I feel safe again. I feel stronger, and I know I can live my life fully.”
Kelly is now encouraging others who may be struggling to seek help.
“The first step is reaching out. I was doubtful, but getting support really does help you take your power back. I feel like myself again – actually, even better than how I was before. I never thought I’d get to this point. I can’t thank her enough.”
NHS Talking Therapies offer support and treatment for a range of issues including low mood, stress, worry or anxiety, difficulty sleeping, feelings of low self-worth, panic attacks, phobias, and more.
People aged 16 years and above, registered with a GP in Bury, can refer themselves by completing an online form. They can also be referred by their GP or another health professional.