How The CCG Promotes Social Inclusion For People With Mental Health Issues

Sep, 25 2014

I have now lived with a mental health problem for 7 years. My issues turned me into a shell of the person I once was. Growing up I was always confident and sociable although this all changed at aged 13. I became increasingly withdrawn from my family and friends and my confidence began to plummit. I struggled with self harming and often wondered what the point was in life, especially when I was so miserable.

At age 16 my life continued to go down-hill, my self-harming got worse and I moved out of my parents house. Then, not long after my Grandad's death I made an attempt on my life. I just didn't want to be alive anymore and didn't see any point in life. After my overdose I was admitted to hospital and was given an antidote to the medications I had took and was told I had 10days to live if the abtidote didn't work. I pulled the cannula out hoping that I wouldn't survive my suicide attempt but I did. I spent the next 6 months in a mental health unit before then being sent to live in a children's home.

Over the coming years I slowly started to rebuild my life whilst I often struggled on the path to recovery. My self harm continued for a while although by age 18 I had managed to stop this. The only problem now was that I had replaced the self harming with drugs and alcohol. So now I had another completely different battle on my hands. I was referred to YPDAT although this felt pointless as they didn't help. I did however, after about 2 years manage to quit on my own, by moving out of the area.

After moving I began studying at university. When I started university I felt better in myself although not completely well and I had still lacked confidence and struggled with my self esteem.

However, not long after starting university I met Russell Hogarth who told me about the Creative Communities Group which he ran. I was kind of reluctant to join him at first as I was still struggling with my confidence although I figured that the best way to overcome my problems was to throw myself in the deep end.

I soon started attending events and volunteering with Russell and the CCG. I have now been a member if the CCG for over a year and it was one of the best decisions I ever made. My confidence and self esteem has definitly improved and I feel as though I am returning to the person I once was before I started having issues with my mental health.

At events I am now happy to talk to everyone and anyone about the CCG and what we do. I thoroughly enjoy working with the CCG and have made some brilliant friends. Before being in the group I struggled forming relationships and talking to people I don't know, but now that is much easier. I have grown to love the members of the group who I work closely with and see them as family.

Being in the CCG has helped me tremendously on my journey to recovery. I now have a good network of friends who I know are their for me. My confidence has improved dramatically and I feel a lot better within myself. I know I will always struggle with my mental health issues but I now know I can cope and it doesn't have to take over my life. I owe a lot to the CCG because it really has changed my life around.