"Self referral"

I have been suffering quietly with anxiety and stress for a number of years on and off but was always able to keep it under control and manage it myself. However in early 2021 things came to a head, due to other recent events that happened in my life, and I was driving to work one morning and I just couldn't take it anymore and broke down. I felt helpless and was taking this out on my child and wife.

I got to work and told myself I can't continue like this. It was affecting my family, myself and my work. I closed myself in an office and asked myself what can I do to help this, talking to family or a friend wasn't an option. I just didn't feel comfortable doing this. (Must be a man thing) I work in benefits and had the experience of referring my customers that needed to help to this program, so I thought about a self referral.

I made the call and referred myself. This resulted in an appointment being made with a member of their team the following week, I had an initial consultation and was accepted into the program. Even after that very first call, the weight off my shoulders was unbelievable. I completed the initial assessment and made an appointment for the following week. This was the first call in terms of trying to deal my situation and get to the bottom of it....I broke down on the phone again.

I worked with Gary for the next 7 or 8 weeks over the phone due to covid restrictions, and all I can say is he was fantastic. He listened to everything I had to say over the weeks and replayed it back to me, this massively helped me in accepting what issues I had going on in my head and and has helped me deal with this positively. It was like I was in denial to what was the issues were and this helped my accept the problem in order to help deal with it. I am now alot more comfortable at work and most importantly at home with my family.

I finished up with Gary today and completed the final assessment and can say it was the best decision I ever made in regards to my mental health. I was told if things deteriorate that I am only a referral away from getting this valuable help again if the need arises.   There was other options available if I felt I needed more assistance, there was cognitive behavioural therapy there and more sessions available one on one with Gary. I am now in a much better place mentally..