Melonie, a university student and artist, has a mental illness. She talks about how she felt at her worst and the steps she took to get better.
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Melonie Long, University Student and Artist.
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At my very worst, I was unable to function at all. I didn't leave my bedroom. I didn't really feed my children very well. I quit my job. I was in financial crisis. And I really didn't see the point and even getting up to just to getting up, I felt there was just no point. And I really felt that this was going to be the way it was for the rest of my life. And I was just going to put in time till my kids grew up.
And then I was hospitalized. And through that, got connection through to CMHA. And along with those things of going to the day programs at the hospital and learning different coping skills, learning strategies to deal with everyday stresses, a variety of techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy and grounding, assertiveness training, and goal setting, all of those things, along with having a great caseworker, an excellent psychiatrist, eventually getting on the right medications, and all this took a long time.
It's not an overnight, it's not a week, it's not a month, and it takes work. But you can do this. And then to the end where I feel excited about life, I'm gone back to University, I'm working towards getting my bachelors in social work, which is now a real passion for me. And it's been reflected back. My children are happy. And I just am so grateful that I've made it this far and life is good.