Mare - Brisbane Youth Service

I was going through a tough time with my mental health and I first contacted Headspace and they referred me to BYS to the Recovery and Discovery (RAD) program.

I was living in a youth hostel and I was going through a really depressive time. I was trying to find work and I think that’s part of what was making me depressed as I wasn’t finding anything and I was getting discouraged.

I was dealing with Borderline Personality Disorder and moving to a new city and having to make new friends causes a lot of stress and anxiety. I was with Relationships Australia in South Australia, but they were a bit far away to offer real support. I would talk to my foster Dad and he would offer advice to me and that’s one of the reasons I tried to find help in the first place.

RAD helped me to go to groups and socialise, and get the one-on-one support that I need. That helped to decrease the stress and anxiety. It’s been great for my confidence to get out of the house and get involved in group programs. The social work student with RAD helped me to get funding from Youth Housing and Reintegration Services for my mental health support, she helped me to get secure housing at Falconer House, she was also there as someone to talk to, which really helped.

It’s still a bit hard to try and find a job, I’m applying for jobs all the time. I feel a bit more hopeful and motivated now that I have secure housing. Rent is more affordable, so it has made it easier to buy food and other things I need for myself. I’ve enrolled myself in TAFE for a diploma of graphic design, because I love drawing and anything creative including photography.

I feel lucky to have the opportunity to be included in this program and it’s given me more space to do the things that I love and focus on things easily. It’s quiet, and totally different to the hostel.