Real Story - Susan
"Prevention controls my life"
In Year 12, Susan seemingly had a bright future. She was school captain, and head of the debating team and student council. Then she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
This cruel condition, once known as manic depression, takes its victims on a bewildering and dangerous journey to the extremes of human emotion. When they’re up, they are confident, articulate and capable of extraordinary manic activity.
But when the pendulum swings to the other extreme - black depression - suicide is often only a small step away, and Susan has tried to end her life several times.
“The last time was quite recently and thankfully someone got me into Wesley Mission’s hospital in Sydney,” she recalls.
While medication helps, Susan finds that other support factors are equally important – her family, healthy food, regular exercise, relaxation techniques and a part-time job as an occupational therapist.
“Prevention controls my life,” she says.
- You can find out more about Susan’s harrowing yet courageous journey by downloading The Wesley Report: Keeping minds well: mental health is everybody’s business.
- You can also help us to help others like Susan. Donate today.
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