Home 
Stories Submitted thoughts and stories A Personal Story of Recovery from Mental Illness
Stories Submitted thoughts and stories A Personal Story of Recovery from Mental Illness
A Personal Story of Recovery from Mental Illness |
 |
 |
 |
anxiety | depression | employment (+) | exercise | gardening | hobbies | male | peer support (informal) and befriending | self knowledge/learning/growth | support from friends | support from mental health professionals | taking control
|
Author: Peter Jeffels Published: 09 July 2005 Peter Jeffels shared his recovery story at an event to promote recovery organised jointly between NHS Grampian and SRN. In this story he describes the vital role that support from his employer and a local users group helped in his journey. Towards the end of an admission for depression and anxiety related problems of over six months at the Royal Cornhill Hospital in Aberdeen, I was finding it difficult to adapt between the two very different environments of the outside world on a weekend pass and the hospital during the week. At a ward meeting one day, Dave Robb from the Grampian Mental Health User Network brought along a list of what recovery means to their members. Looking through the list I saw things that I could immediately relate to; ‘Everyone’s Recovery is unique to them…’ and ‘…members being encouraged and enabled to make progressive choices in their own time’. In the past consultants often accused me of doing too much whilst out on a weekend pass, yet here was a document expressing exactly what I had been trying to tell the professionals for a long time, working at a different pace to others isn’t necessarily wrong. That afternoon I accompanied Dave to a Network meeting and met people who I considered to be at a later stage of recovery than myself. I thought ‘Hey, I can learn things here, I think I’m recovering but these people will know some of the pitfalls that are lying ahead’. From then on I became determined, to be accepted as an individual recovering at my own pace. Throughout my illness my boss had been very supportive, and a good friend. I took Dave Robb’s Recovery Network document to her, and on reading this she suggested a phased return to work, at a suitable pace agreed by both myself, Occupational Health and my CPN. I started working two half days per week for two weeks, increasing to three half days for a further two weeks, followed by a review at which we would decide the next phase. My ultimate goal was a three-day week, working on my specialist subjects the accessibility and evaluation of online learning materials. Other aspects of my ‘old’ job could be done by others within the department or by a research student. Further to this, one day a week I could spend with Dave Robb and the Grampian Mental Health User Network, doing work that I considered very important for my recovery. The remaining day I’d be free to work on my garden or house. The trial period went well, with the added benefit of being able to use the University gym and swimming pool to break up the day, even though this meant staying a little later to make up the hours. Throughout I had tremendous support from my CPN, boss, colleagues and friends. My new three-day working week gives me time to become fully involved with my garden, photography, house and bike. With the Grampian Mental Health User Network I’m learning about myself, mental illness, and related new legislation. I have the support of my friends within the User Network, to whom I also give encouragement and support. I also thoroughly enjoy working with the Scottish Recovery Network with whom I’ve been involved with since their launch and feel I have learned a lot from. I’m happy at work and feel that the quality of what I do is higher than ever before, having just validated my Web pages as XHTML 1.0, (about the highest standard possible). I’m lucky that I don’t have any financial worries, I didn’t have to find a new job after suffering mental illness, as my current job was held open for me. I get on really well with my CPN and my boss. I’m lucky to have some wonderful friends and neighbours who’ve stood by me throughout. If anyone says I’m not the person I used to be because I don’t work five days a week, they’re wrong. My quality of life is probably better than it’s ever been. Have I recovered? I’d be foolish to say yes at this stage, ask me in five years time and hopefully I’ll be able to say yes then! If you’d like to share your thoughts or experiences of recovery then contact us on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 0141 240 7790 to discuss. Click here to go back to previous page |
Story Tags
activism community/socialising/inclusion coping strategies creativity depression employment (+) exercise female hospital male medication medication (-) peer support (informal) and befriending seeing things differently self knowledge/learning/growth self management sense of self support from family support from friends support from mental health professionals supportive spouse/partner taking control talking therapies voluntary mental health services volunteering Story disclaimer
The stories presented here are for information only. They are meant to inspire hope and show that recovery can and does happen. The stories highlight various examples of recovery and we do not advocate any of these experiences as the ‘right’ way to recover. Recovery is an individual and unique process, each person must decide for himself or herself what will work for them. Please carefully consider any decisions you make about your own recovery and consult with someone you trust if you feel unsure. See our Submit Your Thoughts pages for details on how to submit a story to us or you can contact us.
 |
 |