As ADHD Awareness Month is ending, we spoke with Sumaty Hernandez, a member of the team at Thrive LDN, a Citywide partnership to improve Londoners’ mental health and wellbeing, about her journey to understanding her own ADHD. Her story is one of self-awareness, growth and compassion and learning to work with, rather than against, how her mind works.
Realising the signs
“I think when I look back, there were probably signs long before I started thinking about ADHD,” Sumaty reflects. “During the pandemic, when I was doing my master’s, I really began to struggle. But, honestly, I’d always had those challenges even during my undergraduate degree.”
Sumaty describes how she could excel academically and be deeply knowledgeable, but sometimes found that “the way I engage with information or communicate it doesn’t reflect that.” Seeking support, she reached out to a learning specialist in her department while studying public mental health.
“The learning specialist assessed me,” she says. “It really helped and she wrote a report showing what kind of ADHD I have.”
That assessment revealed she had the combined type of both hyperactive and inattentive. “That’s what started the process of me understanding my neurodivergence,” she explains. “I’m clearer on how my brain works. Even between two people with ADHD, the experience can be totally different, and that’s probably why it took me a long time to ask for support.”
“Even between two people with ADHD, the experience can be totally different — and that’s probably why it took me a long time to ask for support.”
Genuine support isn’t just about resources or diagnosis
When asked about what support she has received, she emphasises the importance of slowing down and checking in. “Sometimes we need to ask: Did you understand? Is this engaging? Is this enjoyable for you? Is this actually sinking in?”
“People work differently and think differently. It can feel isolating when you’re trying to get a point across and it’s not landing. Just because something makes sense to you doesn’t mean it makes sense to someone else.”
By offering support, she says “You feel safe, you feel comfortable or relaxed, and the best ideas or the best kind of things come out from people”.
“Just because something makes sense to you doesn’t mean it makes sense to someone else.”
Finally when asked what ADHD Awareness Month means to her, Sumaty’s answer is humble and honest: “I didn’t actually realise it was ADHD Awareness Month,” she laughs. “So it doesn’t mean much to me personally, but I really appreciate the efforts like this blog. If it helps people think more about ADHD and neurodivergence, that’s a good thing.”
Learning more about her ADHD, and her learning style, has given Sumaty insight into how she interacts with the world. It also demonstrates why creating an environment where everyone feels safe, supported and understood is essential.
In the NHS, this means fostering a culture of inclusion where diverse ways of thinking and learning are recognised and valued, communication is clear and compassionate, and all staff are empowered to bring their best selves to work. Such a culture not only benefits neurodivergent colleagues but improves wellbeing, engagement and patient care across the whole organisation.
Support and information
The links below provide more information if you’d like to learn more or seek support: