"IPS future's Positive employment support"

After working for 11 years, my mental health (I have a diagnosis of Cyclothymia and Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder) had deteriorated to the point where I had to quit my job. I took some months out of work, but eventually realised I need to have a routine and work is important to me.

I tried to find employment for myself but failed as I could not sort out simple things like filling in an application form, arranging interviews etc, such was the degree to which I had suffered burnout. I registered for employment support through Dr Pathy at Millbrook Mental Health Unit, where I am an outpatient.

Being able to meet regularly with Jordan (and previously Younis) made a world of difference, as their support to make sense of application processes and to help filling in a CV and application forms was vital in getting me back into being able to think about work. Having someone to talk to honestly about how I feel towards work helped to clarify what kind of employment is available to me and having a person who listens to how I feel about making applications etc means that I can address any issues that would have meant failure previously.

The ordered and organised approach Jordan has taken has clarified things brilliantly and having her attend work interviews and be there to support me in communicating with employers has been vital in stopping me just giving up when things seemed overwhelming.

I now have a part-time job to go to and working through a plan to survive at work and looking at what ongoing support I may need to succeed is invaluable for me as otherwise I will fail again as soon as there is an issue I can’t cope with.

Without Jordan’s support and the resources she brings to me I have no doubt that I would not have continued to seek employment and there would have been a continued deterioration in my mental health.