Dr Mayers an academic psychologist specialising in mental health, particularly perinatal mental illness and young people's mental health. He is a Principal Academic at Bournemouth University. He actively campaigns for raising better awareness for mental health, and challenges stigma and discrimination. He serves on several local and national advisory groups for maternal mental illness. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA), as a reflection of his work campaigning for better mental health. He is Patron for the Samaritans of Bournemouth and District and Patron and for Dorset Mind. He is also Chair of trustees for ActsFast, a charity based in Dorset that supports families who care for child sexual abuse victims. He works closely with Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation NHS Trust and Dorset Police (in association with Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner) on the mental health street triage. He delivers mental health training programmes for health professionals (including health visitors and midwives), through Bournemouth University and Dorset HealthCare. He works closely with the perinatal mother and baby unit in Bournemouth.
Andy, who is married with 4 adult children and 4 grandchildren (with another on the way) says: “I joined the Board because I am passionate about improving the relationship between mothers and their infants, especially where that has been compromised by poor perinatal mental health. I believe that DorPIP is uniquely placed to work with other providers and support groups across Dorset, to improve the lives of families when they need it most. It has been exciting to be involved in the conception of this service.”