Listen Up - Social Welfare Portal

listenup!Chapter 10 | 75I wouldn’t be at university, Iwouldn’t have found my self worth,wouldn’t have found my dignity... I’ddefinitely have been self-harming.Young personBroader perspective on lifeOne young person said the service had helpedthem to put their life and problems into perspective.Others said that they had welcomed the opportunityto see their own experience in a new way:“Standing here two weeks into it [project], andalready you’re looking at things in a completelydifferent way.”Young personAnother young person said that they had found itbeneficial to hear the viewpoint of someone outsidetheir social circle.No longer needing medicationTwo young people spoke of no longer needing touse medication as a result of having support fromtheir respective services.“I’m not in hospital and not on medication anymore.I’ve gone from being in hospital to supportedhousing to living on my own… I don’t feel the needto be on medication, I don’t feel as depressed as Iwas. I do have days when I feel down but I know onthose days I’ve got support.”Young personReduction of harmful behavioursSome young people reported that they had endedor decreased harmful behaviours, such as excessivedrinking, self-harm and violence.Others benefited from having had help with angermanagement.“I used to really lash out, I was brought up to lashout physically. They [the project] teach you it’s okayto cry sometimes and to feel down and you’re notabnormal for feeling that way.”Young personAnother young person admitted that, although theyhad better control over their anger, this was stilldependent on the situation.Preventing problems from leading tocrises or suicideA considerable number of young people acrossthese services said they doubted whether theywould still be alive without having had the inputfrom the service.“I really wouldn’t be here right now.”Young person“I don’t think they realise half the time what a greatjob they do… I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for them.”Young personOthers spoke of serious consequences to their liveswithout the support they had received, such ascontinuing destructive behaviour, withdrawal, beingconfined to the house, not having a relationshipwith their families, getting trapped in negativerelationships with partners or, for one young person,putting themselves at risk of having their baby takeninto care.“Just the thought scares me of not having all that…I’d be lost.”Young person“I would have just continued getting worse or juststopped doing anything.”Young personOverall, the services supported all young people todevelop and maintain consistent and stable lifestyles,thereby contributing to a long-term positive impacton their lives.