"Suicide attempt"

I awoke in ward 2K gravely ill and depressed after a suicide attempt. I found nurses were very encouraging and told me that I could get better as the only way is up. One nurse said she knew someone who had recovered from a mental breakdown and became a nurse herself to help others.

This inspired me and I now work as a mental health peer support worker and use my lived experience to help others in the mental health service know that they can recover and live meaningful and happy lives. I am living proof.

I also learned meditation from the OTs and did therapeutic art and writing workshops. When I was discharged I took part in the ENHANCE program in preparation for getting into the workforce. It was fun and I did goal setting and created my resume.

Thanks to this positive experience at ward 2K I am alive and with support from GROW mental health groups have stayed out of hospital for 16 years.