“Employment support is like a compass. And it’s tailored to you.”

I’m rebuilding my life. I hit rock bottom for sure.

Employment support has made working more realistic. It’s put me in that work mindset.

I haven’t worked for a number of years – a combination of looking after my daughter and mental health reasons. I experienced quite a long episode of psychosis. It was physically exhausting – lack of sleep, mixed with anxiety and depression causes paranoia and you pick up on things that aren’t real.

I had to leave my family home in Kent and went straight to Sussex where my parents live. I admitted myself to hospital in Brighton. It was a shellshock. I got a medication review really quickly and saw a consultant in Eastbourne who changed my medication and that really helped.

NHS support has been crucial for me. I’ve been treated with kindness. They’ve always been there when I’ve been at my worst. They want you to get better as quickly as possible.

It was a psychologist at the assessment and treatment services at Hill Rise who referred me to employment support services. I wanted support to help me get back into the workplace. I didn’t know if I’d be able to work because of my mental health challenges.

Before I started working with an Employment Specialist, it felt like the wild wild west – I didn’t know where to go. Employment support is like a compass. And it’s tailored to you.

Support shaped around my goals

We started meeting up at Hill Rise five months ago. We initially went through my goal which was to get back into work, ideally in the public sector. I previously worked as a call taker in the police. Helping people and protecting the community is important to me. Her experience in the sector meant she could offer her insight.

I felt listened to and respected. She’s adapted to my needs and I was able to steer the support to where I wanted it to go.

This support has helped me focus on my strengths and what I can do really well, and it’s given me reassurance. It’s also given me something to do in terms of getting out of the house. It’s given me a bit of structure and routine and it feels like progress ‘cos I’m working towards something. That’s part of recovery.

Building confidence for work

My confidence was boosted when we went to an employment fair in Brighton. It was nice to meet up with her, be around other jobseekers, and talk to employers there. She let me talk – I didn’t feel I was being taken around.

Before I started support, I was on a twelve month reserve list after a successful interview for a Case Administrator position within the probation service. Recently, I applied for the same role in another department and got another interview. My Employment Specialist supported me with preparing for the interview and it really helped me get into the frame of mind to work.

A few months ago, the probation service emailed me to say there was a role available! Getting a job was icing on the cake, really. It all fell into place with support.

When I secured the role, I had to have an occupational health call. My Employment Specialist reassured me the call was to identify my own needs. I was worried that once they hear I have complex mental health problems they might not think I’m suitable for the role.

There have been times in the past when I haven’t disclosed my condition and I’ve had to leave due to my mental health. I don’t want the same thing to happen again. I think that by disclosing, by being open and honest, I’m giving the employer all the information they need so they can make adjustments and put support in place.

My Employment Specialist is going to continue supporting me when I’m in the role. Just knowing she’s going to be there feels good. It’s someone to fall back on if I need to query something. We’re also going to practice going through the first day because I know I will feel nervous! Talking with her has already got me ready for the culture in the organisation.

It’s been a year since I got support for my mental health in Sussex. I still struggle with things that happened. It can be up and down – it’s not linear. I’ve been uprooted and I’m living a totally different life. There’s a lot riding on this job. It feels like make or break. It’s taken so long to get an offer of permanent employment.

I’ve learnt a lot about grief. It’s always there, but you get stronger. One day it can just blindside you. Other days you learn to put it to the back of your mind. I think experience, doing new things and making new memories, is definitely a way for me to cope with it.

What returning to work means to me

My biggest shift has been showing up for my daughter. Even when I don’t feel mentally strong, I’m still showing up for her and rebuilding myself. Work gives me a purpose. It gives stability. It brings routine, a social circle, and identity as well. And, of course, money, which is essential for me to support my daughter and myself.

If you’re ready for work, there’s going to be the right job out there for you, regardless of your physical or mental problems. Having mental health challenges doesn’t mean you shouldn’t or can’t work.

It’s not easy. It’s a big step. And it can feel like you’ve forgotten how to work, but that’s when support helps to get you back into work.