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PIR Gold Coast would like you to share your story with us! What’s Your Story? PIR aims to collect a range of personal stories about your experience with mental illness and the positive ways you have overcome these challenges.
We aim to share these stories on the PIR website, Facebook page, and monthly newsletter so others can learn about tips and tools to help cope with mental illness; to inform community members what mental illness is and how it can impact a person. You can be anonymous or have a photo to share with your story. Your story may be in many different formats, including posters, presentations, journey mapping and videos or digital stories.
Want to share your story? Contact us at [email protected]
Stories
Nikki Webber Allen is a well-educated, highly accomplished, Emmy Award-winning Black American woman who was diagnosed with generalised anxiety and depression. When she finally accepted her diagnosis, she still refused to tell anyone about it. Nikki was too ashamed, feeling that with her privileged life, loving family and successful career, she didn’t have the right to be depressed. A family tragedy brought Nikki’s world crashing down, but proved to be the catalyst for her to find her voice to speak out against stigma.
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Hannah likes hanging out, going to the movies, and playing Cards Against Humanity. Hannah also has schizophrenia, and admits when she was diagnosed, she didn’t know much about it except for the negative stereotypes. With SANE, Hannah is working to raise awareness of this misunderstood illness and stop the stigma and harmful labelling which surrounds it.
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When Kristy was experiencing anxiety, depression and PTSD, and her life was being turned upside-down, a Samsung tablet was the catalyst in her recovery journey. The device, along with the encouragement of PIR staff, enabled Kristy to reignite her creative self, discover ways to slow her “super anxious fast overthinking brain” and find her voice again.
Read full storyAt 28 years of age, Anna was hospitalised under a forensic order, which marked the start of a decade-long journey of repeated drug use, mental health issues and revolving door admissions to hospital. Anna’s story sounds bleak. However, Partners In Recovery has been able to work alongside Anna on her journey of recovery, enabling Anna to restore hope into her life.
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Kylie knows first-hand the nuances of psychosocial disability, having been in hospital 34 times in the last three and a half years. During this time she has seen this so-called “invisible” disability impact all aspects of her life - her confidence, independence, social inclusion, family relationships and everyday tasks.
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“When people think of mental illness they picture that homeless man on the beach. They don’t think of me in a nice tailored suit counting roses and playing cupid on your television.” Osher Günsberg, the new SANE Australia Board Member, discusses his journey with mental health and how he’s helping to stop the stigma surrounding it, one podcast at a time.
Read full storyAyshe’s story is a heartbreaking journey of addiction, depression, suicidal thoughts, and family breakdown. But it’s also a story of determination for a better life, and an example of how the puzzle of life can finally start to fall into place when supports and programs are found that suit an individual on their unique journey of recovery. Be inspired by Ayshe here.
Read full storyIt’s been a topsy-turvy time for Phil Hankin over the past few years but he’s now crafting his own future thanks to the mental and physical tools he receives through the Partners in Recovery (PIR) program. Most days he’s head down at a work bench set up in his kitchen, creating all sorts of leather goods. Smiles have replaced frowns and while Phil’s family has been fractured, it is functioning fairly well once again.
Read full storyForging a relationship with her loved ones gave Lesley the motivation she needed to begin to climb out of the black hole of substance abuse, self-harm, homelessness and self-loathing that she had found herself in. With the support of her family and community programs such as Partners in Recovery, Lesley has been able to allow light – and love – back into her life.
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Dan really is an ‘Aussie Larrikin’; yet he’s also filled with a sense of determination to better himself, the ability to have hope against insurmountable odds, a high level of resilience and the will to, as he says, “put one foot in front of the other,” even on the dark days … and Dan has had many of these. Read more about Dan’s incredible story of hope here.
Read full storyIn 1997 the British rock band Chumbawamba released a song that included the lyrics, ‘I get knocked down/ But I get up again/ You're never going to keep me down’. These lyrics perfectly sum up Kate’s positive attitude towards her challenges now. Where did she get the inner strength to achieve this positive attitude? It took time. It took patience. It took persistence.
Read full storyKim was diagnosed with major depression. In the decade that followed, she trialled various medications and treatments such as ECT, TMS and CBT. After being “treatment resistant”, Kim was diagnosed with bipolar. Kim’s story demonstrates that the road to recovery requires persistence to find the support and treatment that is right for the individual.
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Adam was angry. He was withdrawn. He was socially isolated. He was completely dependent on others. He misused alcohol. He self-harmed. He was in a volatile situation. These all reduced him to ashes, however from the ashes he arose like a Phoenix to become full of hope and start a computer repair business for concession card holders. Read about Adam’s inspirational story here.
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Christine has been living with mental illness for over 20 years. Just when she was regaining her health, Christine was diagnosed with Frontotemporal Dementia and had to be cared for in an aged care nursing home. Read more of Christine’s incredible story.
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John, born to deaf parents, learner of multiple languages, shares his experiences with the mental health system in Australia and overseas and what has helped him keep well.
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Craig shares his mental health journey through substance use, suicide attempt, homelessness, and the life changing moment with his 8 year old and what is a “normal” future for him.
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There is a quote from American author, educator, keynote speaker and businessman, Stephen Covey that states, “Seek first to understand and then to be understood.” From spending time listening to John’s inspirational story, this quote sums up everything he has experienced to date.
Read full storyThe first thing you notice about Megan is her great big smile. However after spending some time with her, that smile becomes inspirational because of what she has achieved in her life.
Read full storyThe first thing you notice about John is how tall he is, but after spending some time talking to him, he looks even taller because of what he has achieved in his life.
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I have been dealing with many forms of mental health for more than half of my life.
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The first thing you notice when you meet Lewis Myles a PIR Facilitator from FSG is that he’s passionate! Whatever the project or the topic, he’s enthusiastic about what he’s doing and especially why he’s doing it. At the centre of it all, Lewis is passionate about helping the most vulnerable in our community.
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Phil Hankin has come a long way in the past 14 months. From a down-at-heart-and-body person who has been through jail, alcohol abuse, family disruption, depression, anxiety and harrowing electroconvulsive therapy, Phil has worked his way back into society, and into himself.
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My name is Rachael, I am 40 years old. Finally, after years of disappointment, tragedy and challenges I have my ‘chance of a life-time’.
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It’s been a topsy-turvy time for Phil Hankin over the past few years but he’s now crafting his own future thanks to the mental and physical tools he receives through the Partners in Recovery (PIR) program.
Read full storyAdam Dreyer, a PIR Facilitator from Aftercare, accepts 100% responsibility for his own life. He has also seen first-hand the benefits when people take responsibility and ‘own’ the journey of recovery for any person, especially those experiencing mental illness.
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Rusty Murphy* is convinced spy satellites are surveilling our suburban strolls. He’s so sure, he stays inside his home most of the time. He also talks to his TV, and thinks it talks back to him.
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For as long as Diana Bennet can remember, she always wanted to be a primary school teacher. A last-minute decision, however, led Diana to study a Bachelor of Human Services, majoring in Child and Family Studies, and she has never looked back.
Read full storyIt’s hard to imagine…. someone parked in a dark public place trying to take their own life. However that is what happened to Jim last year.
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Collectively we can make a difference with how services work together and how people living with a mental illness can take back control of their life.
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I have always been passionate about advocating for improved services and information for those living with mental illness and their carers/families.
Read full storyFor other Gold Coast events and activities visit the Gold Coast Primary Health Network’s website: HealthyGC.com.au
PIR is a Federally funded program. Other consortia members include Gold Coast Health and Mental Health Association QLD
Partners in Recovery does not offer a crisis response. Need assistance now? Call Triple Zero (000) or go to a hospital if you are in immediate danger.
For 24-hour specialist mental health care: Advice. Referrals. Crisis. Support. Call Gold Coast Health (Queensland Government) 1300 64 2255 (1300 MH CALL)
