Full circle: Damien’s determination to follow his passion

selectability consumer Damien has been kicking life goals since he first started receiving support nearly two years ago.

From living with schizophrenia and spending much of his youth at a local community care unit he has come full circle, progressing towards his goal of becoming a mental health peer worker for the organisation that has supported him through his journey.

 Damien says he has always been pretty open about his life.

 “When I would speak to other people going through the same thing, I found people would talk to me about their issues because I was so open and honest about my own,” said Damien.

 “If more people were transparent about their mental health, there would be a lot less stigma.”

Damien says that before his intake with selectability in late 2021, the Rockhampton region had no support when it came to mental wellbeing and suicide prevention.

“It was difficult before when you would go to the hospital and receive care short term and then after that, you were on your own and go back to your old ways again.

“With selectability, they will go through your goals every six months and see how you are tracking, so that we have more insight into how things are going in our lives.”

selectability Regional Coordinator Debra Fitzgerald says she is delighted to see Damien reach his goals in the last two years.

“We are so proud of Damien,” Debra said.

“He has come so far and is such a beautiful young man with a brave and kind heart.”

Since leaving the community care unit, Damien has moved into his own apartment, is living independently  and is fulfilling his ambition of becoming a Mental Health Peer Worker for selectability.

Most recently, Damien’s current goal is to complete a Certificate III Community Services and a Certificate IV Mental Health Peer Work through selectability Training.

“I would like to do support work for a few years and get some experience, then do a degree in social work, and then work within the drug and alcohol rehab.”

Both courses are designed to kick start a career in support work and for Damien, a profession in the mental health field.

“I want to help support other people and get them back into the community after their recovery,” Damien said.

“I have a lot of respect for support workers, they do wonders for people.”

Beyond the incredible on-the-ground support selectability provides in Rockhampton, Damien’s journey from diagnosis to leading a life of determination serves as motivation to others looking to do the same.

“It is one of those things, people limit themselves when it comes to a diagnosis, but it shouldn’t stop you from doing anything you want to do.

A full circle moment for an individual like Damien, but a life choice he recommends others to take on as well.

“Personally if we get more consumers studying in the mental health field and using their lived experience to help others, it would really be something positive for the community.”