I’m so happy to be part of the Co-design living labs and the work that is being done is incredibly important for so many who suffer mental illness. Unfortunately during my time of depression there was a lot of negativity regarding mental illness and shame for not being “quite right”. I felt very isolated, secluded and lonely. At that time I was extremely fortunate to make contact with a Doctor who actually cared and understood. He helped me on my journey to find the reasons and the solutions by listening without judgement. He never scoffed at my lack of reasoning or out of control thought processes because he understood that was part of my problem. I had difficulty connecting with several counselling practitioners and my GP did not berate, he just kept searching for someone who actually understood my complex problems. One day he said to me “Medication will push the problem down, but when you stop the medication it will bubble to the surface again. You need to find a solution within yourself”.
That was it! A solution within myself.
Eventually, after several sessions with a number of different councellors I was referred to a Psychiatrist who listened to my problems and then suggested finding a “solution within myself”. This wonderful lady taught me how to recognise my reactions and how to control these reactions.
I believe to a certain degree mental illness stays with you, but I have learnt to recognise triggers and I now search to find “the solution within myself”.
ALIVE Next Generation Researcher Network Application Form Click here
For University based research higher degree students, early/mid-career mental health researchers
ALIVE Lived Experience Research Collective Application Form Click here
For University and community based lived-experience or carer-focused mental health researchers at all career stages
ALIVE Collective Application Form Click here
For any individuals or organisations with a general interest in supporting the special initiative in mental health
ALIVE Implementation and Translation Network (ITN) Application Form Click here
For sector, service delivery organisations in mental health serving people across the life course and priority populations
If you have a general enquiry about The Alive National Centre for Mental Health Research Translation, please submit an enquiry below