an anonymous interview from the opportunity centre clubhouse

Would you like to include your first name? If yes, ____Anonymous__________.
Would you like to say you are a Clubhouse member? (Circle yes or no) YES NO
If yes, would you like to say how long you have been a member? ____2_____ years.
Would you like to include your age? (Circle yes or no) YES NO.
If yes, you are ___22______ years old.

q. At what age did you first notice symptoms, and how long did it take to receive treatment?
a. I was 18 when I first noticed symptoms. I was in college at the time and as such my friends encouraged me to seek treatment. About a month later I received treatment.
 
q. What is some advice you would give to someone newly diagnosed who is starting their recovery journey?
a. Do not be afraid to talk to trusted others about your symptoms.
Always be willing to ask for help if you feel you need it.
 
q. If you have achieved recovery, how long did it take to get there and were there any major barriers? What are some things that have helped you achieve recovery?
a. For me in particular I have reached a point where I am relatively stable.
​Some major barriers were managing symptoms and setting a consistent med routine. My support network was a huge help.
 
q. If you feel stable, what factors do you attribute to stability? Are there some things you avoid doing that aren’t helpful?
a. My symptoms are at a minimum, and I feel happy with where I am at mentally. Some thing I avoid are helping others at a detriment to my mental health.
 
q. Have you encountered questions about mental health while involved with employment, and if so, how did you react?
a. Yes, and personally I had to just smile and accept that I was going to be held to a different standard than my coworkers, and over time that gap lessened for the better.
 
q. Why is mental health awareness important?
a. There are so many people who suffer because of ignorance around mental health. People NEED to be educated on this matter for the betterment of society.