For most of 2015, I was adjusting to having my first child. I felt that my challenges were unique to myself and was experiencing a lot of negative feelings about the adjustment, and a loss of control at my circumstances. I lacked an inner strength to face up to the current situation and was feeling very low and struggling through everyday life feeling alone. I felt encountering PSALT Care was part of my life’s turnaround. I first attended a session in November 2015. Upon reflection, I felt the session kick-started my recovery from the major depressive episode. 

The facilitator shared extensively about the ground rules for the session and the purpose of the session. With her positive language, she made each individual present in the room a valuable person, and not there because he or she was feeling ill. I felt it was safe to share about my struggles, and that no one there was going to be a judge or be judged by others. This was unlike any other social groups I had encountered.

It was an important perception because in being able to sharing and speak about the challenges openly, we realise we are not alone. Because the facilitator openly embraced her challenges and shared about the tools and resources which helped her, it was a pivotal moment for me to realise that I too was capable of recovery. I went for a second session in December 2015 because I wanted to experience the value in reaching out. I believe during the introductions, sharings and conversations, there were vital connections made. While we may not have met each other again after that session, the connections left a lasting impression which helped me build my life back slowly. 

Over the period, I tried to build a support network with my family and seeked a community to grow with. One year later, in November 2016, I came back to PSALT Care. This time not so much so for recovery, but to be part of the group. I see a purpose to gather peers who are in need of support as I have experienced this route to the path of recovery. For knowing that we are journeying together gives us strength to de-stigmatize the impact of the negative feelings. Peer support helps us to know that we can live and co-exist with our struggles in order to improve our lives. Being part of the movement, we can practice being in a community without fear of judgments whilst mastering our self-empowerment.”