Outside my comfort zone – and having a great time!

We’re proud to share another heartfelt experience from one of our learners, Paul.  We’re sure you’ll find his words as inspiring as we do!

“Hi! I’m Paul. I have struggled with depression and anxiety since I was a teenager and a few years ago I was formally diagnosed with ADHD. Earlier this year I began looking for support beyond traditional mental health treatment, and soon found the Recovery College. I immediately loved the range of courses on offer. I think it’s great that the college doesn’t just offer courses focused on specific mental health problems but also provides a wide range of activities and practices that can help us all live more fulfilling lives.

My first course was “Living Well With ADHD”. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I found a great source of information and guidance, and a wonderful sense of community and solidarity. It’s so validating to talk about struggles you’ve never shared with anyone before and to see people around the room nodding, or to hear someone else put the way you feel into words.

The peer workers who facilitate the courses have all been fantastic. I don’t envy anyone who takes on the responsibility of guiding a group for people with ADHD! Nicky and Laura designed a course with a great mixture of learning, and struck just the right tone when kindly but firmly stopping us all from wandering off down our own personal garden paths. They did such a good job that I was inspired to sign up for more of their courses. I’m currently part way through Laura’s “Yoga: Tuning into Nature” course, doing yoga outdoors at Greenhead Park. This is well outside my comfort zone but my first experiences with the college were so positive that I had the confidence to get involved, and have been having a great time.

My friends and family have all noticed the change in me since I started courses with the college, and I would recommend it to anyone. It can be a difficult first step, getting out of your own head and opening up to strangers, but so rewarding. Every course follows the same few guiding principles, one of which is that when asked for input you can always pass, so you have total control over your own participation. No one will judge you or treat you differently if you prefer to quietly absorb the information. The courses have given me something to look forward to every week. I’m excited to try more, and hopefully one day I will be in a place where I can volunteer and give back as much help and support as I’ve received.”