A Personal Story.
...By Sue Murphy
In 1985 I was diagnosed with Manic Depression while I was working. In 1988 after having my daughter I had mild postnatal depression and after my son was born in 1991 I suffered PND again but badly. My marriage broke up because of my illness and my children went to live with my sister. I became involved in another relationship and he moved in but he started to run up debts, this caused me to worry.
Due to medication changers in December 1999, I didn't sleep for 5/6 days and I became psychotic. I was admitted into hospital and sectioned. When I came home after 3 weeks in hospital I decided to change my life.
I asked my partner to move out and consulted a solicitor to help me to arrange to pay off my debts. I felt more in control. With the help and support of my sisters, I continued to see my children regularly.
I was given a social worker who suggested doing a bit of volunteering. The local Volunteer Centre employed a support worker who supports people with mental health difficulties onto voluntary work. Although unsure about this, I gave it a try. I attended a preparation course to help with my confidence and self esteem and to look at the skills i could contribute. After 5 weeks we volunteered at a local playschool where we washed all the dollies and other toys!
I started volunteering regularly with an activity scheme for children with special needs. My confidence grew and during this time I was asked if I would like to become a 'buddy' for the Centre as a helping hand for people just starting out in volunteering. There are 6 buddies on the scheme and our main role is to take clients out for a coffee. We talk to clients about our volunteering and take them to their voluntary work if they wish.
Through being a buddy I have been asked to speak about the project at Conferences up and down the country. I have also been involved with workshops and I am currently on various committees representing service users. I am still on medication and have a good psychiatrist whom I can talk to and no longer require the help of the social worker.
I live alone with my cat and dog and I also see my children often. Although they have been unable to live with me we have a close and loving relationship.. I feel that I am more the person I used to be. I still have mood swings but have good insight and can usually work through them.
As a volunteer I also liase with North Essex Stronger Together, a self-help group of service users. They hold a mental health forum every couple of months. Most of the topics they discuss are relevant to mental health issues, such as direct payment. I am also on the project Advisory group at Anglia Ruskin University and help to advise about social workers and their courses.
The experience of being in hospital made such a big impression on me that I decided I was never going back. I was determined to keep well. The support of my family, volunteering and the Supports Need project has helped me to do just that.
...By Sue Murphy
In 1985 I was diagnosed with Manic Depression while I was working. In 1988 after having my daughter I had mild postnatal depression and after my son was born in 1991 I suffered PND again but badly. My marriage broke up because of my illness and my children went to live with my sister. I became involved in another relationship and he moved in but he started to run up debts, this caused me to worry.
Due to medication changers in December 1999, I didn't sleep for 5/6 days and I became psychotic. I was admitted into hospital and sectioned. When I came home after 3 weeks in hospital I decided to change my life.
I asked my partner to move out and consulted a solicitor to help me to arrange to pay off my debts. I felt more in control. With the help and support of my sisters, I continued to see my children regularly.
I was given a social worker who suggested doing a bit of volunteering. The local Volunteer Centre employed a support worker who supports people with mental health difficulties onto voluntary work. Although unsure about this, I gave it a try. I attended a preparation course to help with my confidence and self esteem and to look at the skills i could contribute. After 5 weeks we volunteered at a local playschool where we washed all the dollies and other toys!
I started volunteering regularly with an activity scheme for children with special needs. My confidence grew and during this time I was asked if I would like to become a 'buddy' for the Centre as a helping hand for people just starting out in volunteering. There are 6 buddies on the scheme and our main role is to take clients out for a coffee. We talk to clients about our volunteering and take them to their voluntary work if they wish.
Through being a buddy I have been asked to speak about the project at Conferences up and down the country. I have also been involved with workshops and I am currently on various committees representing service users. I am still on medication and have a good psychiatrist whom I can talk to and no longer require the help of the social worker.
I live alone with my cat and dog and I also see my children often. Although they have been unable to live with me we have a close and loving relationship.. I feel that I am more the person I used to be. I still have mood swings but have good insight and can usually work through them.
As a volunteer I also liase with North Essex Stronger Together, a self-
The experience of being in hospital made such a big impression on me that I decided I was never going back. I was determined to keep well. The support of my family, volunteering and the Supports Need project has helped me to do just that.
<Close>
