Zak is living proof that mental illness doesn’t need to dictate the future direction of your life. Currently living in Sydney and working his dream job as an automotive journalist, Zak’s life is a far cry from his recent past.
Being admitted to hospital with stress-induced psychosis at the end of 2020, Zak’s mental health crisis and subsequent bipolar diagnosis derailed his life for a time. Yet with the support of various clinicians and his RFQ recovery support worker, Zak has rebuilt his life brick by brick.
“Luke from RFQ’s Hospital to Home (H2H) team came around to my house every week for most of 2021 and the difference that made in my recovery was huge. I could talk to him about anything, and he helped me set goals and put good practices in place, like regularly playing music and exercising.”
Dealing with so many clinicians on a regular basis, Zak says his time with Luke was a breath of fresh air where he could feel like a normal person.
“I had weekly therapy for eight months, as well as appointments with doctors, psychiatrists and other medical professionals. While that’s been so important in my recovery, you often feel like you’re a patient first and foremost, rather than a person.”
“My meetings with Luke helped me feel human and gave me something to look forward to. He had a good understanding of what I was going through and made me feel less alone, while also focusing on who I was and what I wanted to achieve in the future. The steps he helped me put in place have been essential in getting me to where I am today.”
At the start of 2022, Zak was presented with a career opportunity that was too good to resist. Having finished his journalism degree in 2018, the self-confessed car nut came across the perfect union of his interests – automotive journalism. The trade-off? He’d have to relocate from Brisbane to Sydney for the job.
“It was a big decision and I didn’t really want to move, but the job was too good not to. My career had been up and down due to my mental health, so this seemed like a real opportunity for me. It has been tricky at times, but really positive overall.”
To stave off stress and keep on top of his mental health, Zak prioritises self-care including playing guitar, socialising and exercising. He’s also found the process of sharing his story cathartic, with the hope that it will help others who are battling similar hardships.
“I try to give back as much as possible, to reach even one person who is going through a terrible time. I’ve worked with the Black Dog Institute in the past and I am currently an ambassador for Drive Against Depression. I’ve also published a memoir about my experience, called ‘A Ballad from a Bruised Brain’.”
“My mental health journey has undoubtedly changed my life. Nothing will ever be the same. While it’s certainly taken my innocence away, I’ve learnt a lot about myself and what I’m capable of overcoming. It’s been a team effort to get me to this point where I now love the life I lead, and I’m so grateful for everyone who has played a part.”
