Kelly
"Neami have coached me into believing that I can actually be free of these addictions and feel a sense of self-worth."
"I was in a pretty bad place, things were quite grim for me. 12 months ago I was chain-smoking, I was drinking, I was drugging and gambling which I’m quite ashamed of, but not ashamed of. It's part of who I am today because I’m free of all those things now. I know now that bad days don't last.
"Neami have coached me into believing that I can actually be free of these addictions and actually feel a sense of self-worth. They've taught me that self-care is putting on a face mask, putting on a cup of tea, taking two minutes to just breathe, smelling essential oils, going outside, looking up at the clouds appreciating that tiny little butterfly that goes past. All these little things that I thought, you know that doesn't appeal to me, all of a sudden have become magic and a way of living.
"I really like working one-on-one with the support workers and Mental Health Nurse, Madonna. The groups have really helped to expand on what I learned about self-care by getting me to use my creativity and being able to socialise with other people that are not all been in the same place as you, but have an understanding of what it's like to feel isolated from society with mental health issues. I've done mindfulness training, group distress, stress tolerance groups, art groups. Even if you learn just one thing from the group, you just feel a little more like you're not alone.
The groups have really helped me to expand on what I've learned about self-care by getting me to use my creativity and being able to socialise with other people.
"Step by step, I faced my fears and I faced my sorrows with Neami coaching me along. Neami were that perfect fluffy pillow for me to lean on when things were feeling really bad, and that perfect fluffy pillow gave me the rest I needed from the chaotic life I was living into this extraordinary life of appreciation and pleasure.
"Not only have I benefited from Neami’s support, but my cat Pilly has benefited. She comes out every day and purrs and is loving and happy. My mum is happy, my family are coming back into my life gradually. I understand that it takes time for family to believe that you've changed. That's something that I look forward to in the future. The value of my family has really helped me to understand what’s important to living a good life, and how much I want to give back to my family over the years that I haven't been able to give to them when I've been unwell. I want to give back to my family something that they can really be inspired by."
Kelly has received support from Neami through Nundah House.
Recovery-oriented support
Residential services provide a recovery-oriented supportive environment