I am going through the process of being medically retired from my job following my accident and all of the mental health issues I have felt and experienced since.
I worked for 16 years in the Emergency services and have always helped people and felt huge desire to do so.
Since my fatal car accident this all changed... it changed everything. I cannot even help myself, I can’t deal with everyday stresses and challenges and frequently hide from the world.
But.. I know that there is still part of me that wants to help. I am not sure how this will look in the future but I know I want to help with mental health and illness somehow and impart my experiences both before and since my accident to others. I wondered if anyone on here did any form of voluntary work for one of the mental health charities and if so how they found it?
I have lots of bad days but know I am still in there somewhere. You guys and girls are still in there too Xxx
Written by
Matt3013
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6 Replies
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Hi Matt.
Sorry to hear about your accident and the struggles you face.
I have done some voluntary work in the past, and I found it most rewarding. I did voluntary work for Ageuk assisting seniors in basic computer skills, to enable them to use email etc. Some had not used computers at all. It was most rewarding. I volunteered with Samaritans Some time ago and that was also rewarding.
If you are in uk, there are volunteer centres/organisations you could approach to learn more,I guess they could help you with some guidance, and also Mind the mental health charity could be helpful.
Matt, I scrolled back to your posts from a year ago. I had to refresh my mind as to what brought you to this state of mind. Now I understand more clearly. I didn't know you worked in Emergency Services as I did as well. I can truly understand in that your life was spent helping people and now you were the one needing help. I had different circumstances than you, but the fact was the same in that how do you go from Emergency Services to being a patient yourself.
It took a lot of therapy to convince me that the strong me, the real me was still there inside me. Anxiety had buffaloed me into thinking that was it, I was done. Not so Matt. Not so.. It's a matter of wanting to find yourself again, to do the things you so enjoyed but at a different level. There are a lot of different avenues to take, it's a matter of finding the one that fits you at this time of your life.
I did volunteering at first just to get my feet wet again. Working with patients has always been my passion. I volunteered working with Paralyzed Veterans at the hospital. I got more out of it than I thought. It gave me a reason to give of myself again and not to stay confined at home. From there I started my own Emergency Service Company. Staying within my own community and being OnCall 24/7 for residents that had emergencies come up and needed care for the family left behind. I'd be paged and would drive over to their home anytime day or night so that emergencies could be handled w/o disrupting the family. My assignment was never more than a day or two and so I was able to work according to my needs as well.
From there it went to also respite care at the hospital where families needed that break for a little while. I worked with patients at nursing homes when families wanted that little extra emotional support for their loved ones. I now have 2 women who work for me. When Anxiety hit me years ago, I thought my medical career was over. Little did I know that life just directed me onto another path, an extended journey that I was meant to do.
Matt, I am a firm believer that things happen for a reason. Finding a better self can be that reason. Don't give up, you're too young and have the training that can so help others and in return will be helping yourself. Good Luck Matt.. One step at a time, first things first and it will all come together one day soon.
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I don't know what to do
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