Jen Story!

I am 19 and my life has been pretty crap at times. My dad used to bash mum and he'd hit me and my brother too. Mum left him when I was 13. Mum had to work heaps to afford the rent and to look after us. I guess I spent a lot of time caring for my little brother.

School wasn't very easy for me. I found it hard to keep up. Sometimes I would just feel so depressed that I couldn't even get out of bed. When I was 15 I attempted suicide, and ended up in the psych unit. When I was 16, I had my first manic episode. My mind was racing and there was no chance I could sit down and concentrate at school. I went to Sydney for a few weeks and lived on the streets and in hostels and got admitted to an Inpatient mental health unit at one of the suburban hospitals. They got in contact with my family and I returned home on medication for Bipolar Disorder. I can't remember much of that time but it was not long after I returned home that I realised I was pregnant.

I had a good group of friends who stuck by me - I don't think I would have got through without them and mum. I left school at the end of year 10. Most of my friends have moved on now but I know Tamara is still around.

I regularly saw a psychiatrist at the CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health) team who monitored my medication. When I turned 18, I was transferred to the Adult Mental Health Team but I didn't engage well with anyone there - they seemed too busy and the psychiatrist wasn't as good.

My mum has stuck by me. She can be really controlling but I think she worries about me. I reckon she blames herself for me getting sick. I know she hates the way I live. After Hannah was born, I moved in with Josh. I thought he loved me and would be a good support but mostly he's a waste of space. Hannah was an unsettled baby - she cried all the time and it was too much for me. I felt myself getting really depressed again, I just couldn't cope. Mum now has Hannah.

I started smoking pot because it helped me feel normal but now its crap. It costs too much and I just sit at home out of it getting more depressed. Josh is into heavier stuff. It turns him into a real bastard - I'm well shot of him and don't want to go back to him. I'm trying to stay off the pot now and get my life sorted. The counsellor at D&A is good and the Refuge staff are really supportive. They've helped me sort out some accommodation in the Women's Housing with another couple of women. I feel things are looking up for me right now. I want to have more of a role with my daughter. I love kids heaps and sometimes think I would make a good childcare worker if I could get my life under control. I am sick of being broke and would like to get a job.

INITIAL REFERRAL TO YOUR ORGANISATION

Non - Government Community MH Support Agency

Referral received by fax.

From: Women's Refuge

Nowra

Dear MH Support Team

RE: Jennifer Houston DOB 12/08/2003 No Fixed Address

Thank you for your visit to our facility last month. It was very informative.

I would like to refer Jennifer Houston to your program. Jennifer is 19 years old and recently entered the refuge following a decision to leave her partner of 2 years. She has a 2 year old daughter, Hannah, who is cared for by Jennifer's mother.

Jennifer has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and says she was seen by the CAMHS team from 2011-2015. This latest crisis has prompted her to start making some positive changes in her life. She is currently seeing a D&A counsellor and I feel she would benefit from some support and guidance from your team.

I have talked to Jennifer about your service, and she is eager to meet you. Please ring me if you would like to discuss this further.

Regards

Monica K

Refuge Worker

44219999

I need help with the Individual Recovery Plan

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Goals

Social inclusion

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