"My journey and overcoming the struggles"

After paying private in 2019 to gain a diagnosis of EUPD and getting referred back to the mental health team with the information from the initial assessment, I was eventually referred to Mind and I was with them for 1 year, but during my time with mind a became really poorly as my symptoms got worse, I then had to go back to the mental health team but then this referral got lost, I chased it up after 4 months, finally got an an assessment by the EIP team who referred me back to the LMHT, they then referred me to Turning Point, however they never got in contact, when I chased this, they informed me they had been given a wrong number.

Unfortunately at this time I had no other option to raise a complaint, this is when I was referred to Jordan in the employment support team as I was struggling to maintain my employment due to how poorly I was, I was also referred to Turning Point however, but I was unable to engage due to both my physical and mental health and also the fact I had previously had R&S therapy with Mind. I then went back to the LMHT asked for alternative support and they agreed to refer me for 1-1 work with the mental health team, but this did not work out either due to sessions being cancelled by the mental health worker so I requested an alternative worker, I was then referred for SCM therapy.

In the first couple sessions Lisa took the time to get to know me and my circumstances, after seeing the trouble I had previously with accessing support, Lisa has remained consistent with all our appointments, and she has tailored the therapy to my needs. Lisa has provided stability for me and helped me understand the things that have gone on with me and why I have reacted the way I have. For example Check the facts, this has given me an understanding of how my emotions work and the actual emotions I am feeling, it has given me control over my mental health instead of my mental health controlling me. Lisa has provided me with a sense of stability. It has been nearly 2 years since I self-harmed. She has also helped me fill out the paperwork for the assessment for an ADHD assessment, which I am currently waiting on. Lisa has worked with me to ensure I am stable enough to go on to Step 4 therapy and has recently put a referral through for this.

Another consistency is the support I have received from Jordan at Future’s Positive, to help me change jobs and find appropriate work for me at the time and to slowly work myself back into sustaining employment. We have had appointments mostly every week and worked together on completing many applications. The most recent application was for Mansfield Council, we had worked together on the supporting statement and I was going to add this to the official application, however when I came to do it, they wanted it laid out in a specific format, at this stage I was frustrated because I had done so many applications and interviews and I was feeling down hearted, however, Jordan offered to complete the application on my behalf, which led to me securing an interview, and I am pleased to say I secured the role and will be starting with the council in April, this is my first full time position in almost a year and I can’t wait to start.