“I was given anti-depressants at the age of 19 but they stifled feelings they induced only exasperated my condition. I was socially isolated with no friends, highly anxious with my daily life just passing by day by day. I had no purpose or sense of self-worth in society.
I tried to bury my feelings through addictions. This never worked and I have now become a survivor of addiction. I needed a positive reason to get out of bed, feel useful and to be amongst friendly people.”
After many years of unsuccessful treatment Rich joined Roots to Wellbeing.
I was initially a little bit reticent about attending ‘yet another’ therapy group because my extreme sensitivity was not understood by the other attendees or the facilitators who needed me to ‘fit in’ to fulfil the necessary criteria of their course.
Then my life changed.
“After 50 years of suffering I finally felt an acceptance with others and myself. I was amongst people who treated me as a valued equal. This was very healing for me.
I wake up on Tuesdays with an excitement to see my friends.
Every year I suffer with Seasonal Affective Disorder. I feel more depressed and lethargic. This did not happen last winter for the first time in my life.
I was encircled by nature’s process and that allowed me to accept change, knowing that, and even though I may perceive it as ‘bad’. This too would inevitable change for the better.
Both my mental health and consequently my physical wellbeing have been empowered.”
Rich then discovered Your Park’s Bee Active nature-based volunteering group.
“The physical exercise and positive response to help has also lifted my sense of worth, improved my feelings given me another day of enjoyment with purpose.
I have been supported to continue in other groups so that my wellbeing can be continued. Unlike other groups where upon completion you are dismissed without concern for your future health, this group takes positive action to ensure you are not left without future activities and your journey to better wellbeing is maintained.
From this I will be taking many better ways of understanding myself and deeper connection to this ever changing nature around me, good friends, many fond and often greatly empowered wellbeing that I have never found elsewhere.”
