Brighton student turns personal hardship into powerful poetry to raise mental health awareness

University of Brighton student, Carenza Elizabeth Greed – who goes by the name Wren – has transformed their own mental health journey into a creative force for change. Their poetry delves into complex topics including addiction, loss, gender, religion, and the emotional reality of living with mental illness, with the aim of offering solidarity and support to others facing similar challenges.

Wren’s most recent work, Everything Has Order, Every Action Has Its Place: Lyrical Inserts and a Collection of Poetry, follows their debut collection Musings of the Wistful Gentleman (and Other Personalities). Both books draw on their lived experience and reflect a deep commitment to highlighting the importance of mental health awareness.

Wren Greed

Growing up in Brighton, Wren faced significant challenges from an early age – leaving school at 12 due to agoraphobia and anorexia and later completing four GCSEs independently while undergoing treatment. After years of feeling excluded from education, they returned to learning in their twenties with a new sense of purpose – enrolling on the Psychology BSc(Hons) course at the University of Brighton to better understand the mind that had shaped their life.

Wren said: “My inspiration came from a desire to raise awareness about mental health, but also from a place of grief. Writing gave me a sense of agency – a way to honour my friend who passed away and to find meaning through that loss. My books are a tribute to him, and a promise to carry him with me in everything I do.”

Their time at university, they say, has been pivotal – providing not just academic opportunity, but personal transformation. Wren said:

“University has been life-changing for me. When I started, I was struggling with addiction, grief, and low self-esteem. The encouragement I received, particularly from Dr Sara Balouch, helped rebuild my confidence and made it possible for me to publish these books. Sometimes, all you need is someone to believe in you – and that belief made these books possible.

“I’m proud of what I’ve achieved, but it’s just the beginning. I want to use everything I’ve been through to help others and bring a unique perspective to the field of psychology.”

Dr Sara Balouch, Lecturer at the University of Brighton’s School of Humanities and Social Science, said:

“I’m incredibly proud of Wren for staying committed to their studies despite the challenges they’ve faced. It’s inspiring to see them channel their experiences into something as creative and meaningful as poetry. There’s a growing body of psychological research showing that creative writing can be a powerful tool for mental well-being, and Carenza’s work is a beautiful example of that in action.

“Being in the School of Humanities and Social Science, where psychology students mingle with creative writing students, our students are in the best place to explore extra-curricular topics. Here at the University of Brighton, we really encourage this kind of interdisciplinary curiosity and self-expression as part of a supportive academic community.

“Wren is a deeply talented and thoughtful individual with so much to offer the world. I wish them every success, both in completing their degree and in whatever path they choose to take next.”

Wren’s story highlights the power of personal growth and resilience – showing how individuals can transform their experiences into meaningful impact through creative expression and bravery, values that are central to the University of Brighton’s ethos.

The university continues to support and celebrate student voices that inspire open dialogue around mental health, resilience, and well-being.