"Autism, depression and anxiety and feeling useful again"

I was diagnosed as being on the autistic spectrum in 2017 as an adult in a different local authority to my current home. After moving back to my current home later that year I was referred to the local community mental health team and occupational therapy.

I met Claire first, I think, and was impressed by her knowledge and understanding of autism. I felt at ease discussing things with her. I then met Christine who worked with me to identify activities I would like to do and felt able to try. Things were going slowly but surely but then COVID hit and everything shut down. I was discharged from the service (as were most people) and although I later received help from Claire for paperwork and a couple of meet ups I wasn't ready to do more at that time.

In 2023 I was referred again and spoke with Julie on the phone a few times and in early 2024 I met with Christine again, which was very helpful, although extremely fortunate as she had retired but decided to come back part time.

Having the same support worker was less stressful for me initially and it coincided with me having a slight improvement in my health, after increasing the level of vitamin D I take, which has allowed me to start volunteering a couple of hours a week.

Christine was able to help me arrange this and attend initial meetings to again make it less stressful. She also encouraged me to look into volunteering and discussed it several times so I could think about what I'd want to try doing and have time to process my thoughts about it.

Whilst I am exhausted the day after my volunteering because it's a huge exercise in masking, I really enjoy it and it makes me feel useful again.

It's been a long road to get to this point but I'm more confident than I have been in a long time that things might work out ok.

I'll continue to take things slowly and try to be better aware of my needs and I know I can get referred to the service again if I need more help in future.

They have a very strong team and if you are able and willing to work with them they will help you achieve realistic goals.

I cannot express how grateful I am to them for helping me for all these years.