Page 34 - The Final Exam Book - NO GRID 25:03:24

Pam
I have struggled with mental health challenges since I was 11 years old. At the age of 13, I began receiving support for my disordered eating, self-harm, depression, and anxiety, which involved a lot of therapy and individual work. I am now happy to say that I have recovered. Every day, I continue to work on myself to create the life I deserve.
Jane
My message for young people is to not pressure themselves to think that they should be better by now. I fell into that trap a lot, but when I was able to be patient with myself and be kind for taking things at my own pace, that's when I saw the most progress. Take your time, don't lose hope, and remember that all the small steps you take will take you far. On the di$cult days, show even more kindness to yourself and surround yourself with your support system.
My mental health challenges began around the age of 12-13, following the passing of my mother. In the aftermath, I focused on supporting my family and postponed facing my own grief, which eventually led to a decline in my mental health during my teenage years. I struggled with anxiety, depression, self-harm, and developed an eating disorder as a way to cope with overwhelming emotions. At 15, I sought professional support from CAMHS to begin my recovery journey. Initially, the prospect of recovery was daunting, but I gradually embraced the idea of restoring a healthy relationship with food. My motivation to recover stemmed from the desire to help others and to rediscover the joy of dancing, which had been a signi"cant part of my life. With perseverance and support, I overcame my eating disorder and learned healthier ways to manage di$cult emotions.
My journey to recovery started at 13 when I realised that I needed to make a change because I was tired of feeling the way I did every day. As a young girl, I was always driven to succeed, and when I understood that I needed help to stop holding myself back and achieve my goals, I slowly began to respond to therapy. Choosing recovery was the best decision I ever made. I learned so much about myself and started to love myself and the world without being so critical of everything. Making the choice to wake up every day and at least try to be kind to myself has allowed me to be here today, helping others.
Recovery is priceless. Although the journey is long and "lled with ups and downs, "nding the inner strength to keep moving forward and "nding reasons to keep "ghting is incredibly ful"lling.
Learning to show myself compassion was a pivotal aspect of my recovery. My motivations evolved from simply wanting to be well enough to assist others to reclaiming the activities I once enjoyed and living a healthier, more ful"lling life. I am grateful for the incredible support I received from friends and family, which inspired my interest in Mindfulness and Psychology, leading me to study Psychology & Counselling at university. This journey has brought me to where I am today, completing my training to become a therapist/counsellor.
Self-care and self-compassion are essential for recovery and personal growth, as is rediscovering your identity, aspirations, passions, and interests. It's okay if this process takes time—there is no set timeline for recovery or for "nding yourself.
“I was tired of feeling the way I did...recovery is priceless...all the small steps you take will take you far”