“When I became ill, everything changed overnight. It was like being put in a box and the lid suddenly shut”.
That is how young Tasmanian, Toulei describes the mental illness which made her feel afraid to leave her bedroom.
After being diagnosed and given medical treatment, Toulei was supported by Anglicare’s Recovery program on her journey back from illness. “The Recovery program has been a big help to me….it opened the lid up and I can see out again. While medication stabilises things, it is the Recovery program that has given me a real boost – it is something to look forward to. It is very flexible and it is based on what you need to do as part of your recovery,” she said. “It helps you to set goals and make choices about the future”.
For Toulei, that has meant managing her illness and getting back out into the wider world. She now has her sights set on higher education but is starting with small steps. “I recently did a five day training course. It made me realise that I can handle it. I’d also like to do some volunteering,” she said. “I am interested in attending uni or TAFE. I’d like to study psychology or be a beauty therapist. I want to help people deal with what’s happening on the inside…but I’d also like to help with the outside - because how you look can really influence how you feel”.
Toulei wanted others to know that there are people like the staff of Anglicare who can provide support to people recovering from mental illness. “Recovery is not something that you have to do on your own,” she said.