Content advice: the following article includes discussion of suicide

After struggling with isolation and depression for many years, Garry reached a point where he felt ‘life wasn’t worth living’. He survived a suicide attempt and spent a period in the acute mental health ward on the Gold Coast.

“I just didn’t want to tell people about my problems – I never spoke to the doctors or anyone about it.”

Looking for increased independence and autonomy as part of his recovery journey, Garry was referred to the Transitional Recovery Service (TRS), which provides short-term accommodation and support with health professionals and peer workers in the transitionary period between hospital and home. 

Garry describes being able to be in charge of his recovery journey in a less restrictive space and engage with others going through similar challenges as important, and he believes his stay in the TRS House enabled him to get better quicker.

“It’s like shared accommodation except there is support there if you need it, it’s not crowded with other people and the house has a pool table, space outside and you can go out for walks, to the shops and buy and cook your own food,” Garry said.

“The staff at the house treat you as equals and talk to you and check in how you’re going, and talk about your medication and all that stuff it was just better than being in the hospital.”

“I was in a bit of a state back then when I got admitted to hospital – the stay in the house helped me get over it and get back home.”

Garry said that RFQ staff were always readily available and very understanding.

“They’re [the support workers] good to talk to and help you through your problems and took us on outings as well. We went to barbeques [as part of the Capstone program] and it gave me a lot more freedom – in hospital it can feel like a bit of a jail. It’s all sort of fenced in and everything’s locked up, but at the house you just feel like you’re in shared accommodation and your own boss again.”

Garry has since moved out of the TRS House and is now connected with another community service organisation to continue his social activities and engagement.

“Getting out socially means you get to talk to people. If you have challenges, you can run them by them (support workers) and have a talk with the staff and that.”

“I find it easier to talk about things that are worrying me now, like I have been through all these programs I can talk to the staff, so it’s all good.”

Garry has also found hope for help and guidance through prayer, faith and love from his Jehovah community which has also assisted him in his newfound wellbeing.

The Transitional Recovery House (TRS) is a partnership between Richmond Fellowship Queensland, Gold Coast Health and Queensland Health that aims to increase resilience and independence through supporting people in their recovery journey.