Loving hearts rekindled my hope
"The greatest support I received was not so much from the support workers' professional knowledge, but from their sincere care without any discrimination. Their genuine commitment encouraged me to light up my hope for life" Educated, Dedicated Worker
How good medical care and support workers gave one man back his love of life
"In 1996, I immigrated into New Zealand from Mainland China. At the time, I was at the summit of my success in China, so I came here in two minds about leaving.
Consequently, the huge differences in language and cultural environment, the difficulties of life and the frustration of employment, triggered an enormous loss physiologically. I felt extremely bitter and regretful, and ended up with a broken marriage.
A few years later, I remarried. But I became very timid, and always suspected that someone might hurt me. In the meantime, I started to suffer from insomnia, which sometimes lasted for a few nights in a row, and I could even hear noises as well.
When this was happening, I denied my mental health problem. However, on my wife's insistence, I went to see my GP and was referred for an assessment at a psychiatric clinic in Auckland. I was diagnosed with severe depression and advised to start medical treatment.
Over these years, my condition has improved a lot through receiving treatment, using services from Affinity, previously named TKA, and participating in Chinese mental health support group activities. The greatest support I received was not so much from the support workers' professional knowledge, but from their sincere care without any discrimination. Their genuine commitment encouraged me to light up my hope for life.
At present, I can work and live like other healthy people. A few months ago, I found a full time job in a company. My English level is still quite low, but my employer holds me in high regard because I am very hard working.
My employer expects me to take on more responsibilities and encourages me to do so by giving me weekly rewards and to continue to learn English and master a computer."
