When someone experiences so many difficulties in life, it can be hard to figure out where to even start to address their situation. At Route One, our team are highly knowledgeable and skilled in helping people who have mental health and/or complex needs. Erica is a previous resident of Route One who was helped by the team to take control of her life and address the difficulties she was facing. This is her story.
Erica had a difficult time growing up, including suffering abuse as a child and being placed into care. These difficulties fed into her adult life, when she was diagnosed with a mental health condition during a hospital admission after a suicide attempt. At this time, Erica was struggling with alcohol and substance use to manage the symptoms she was experiencing but had yet to be treated.
Erica also experienced a manic episode for the first time in her life which resulted in the loss her job, home, and the breakdown of a relationship. These incredibly difficult circumstances led Erica to take an overdose which brought her to the attention of mental health services, and she was hospitalised for 3 months.
Once discharged from hospital, Erica applied for supported accommodation and began living at BHT Sussex’s Route One project.
At the point of joining Route One, Erica was experiencing dissociation and blackouts and was concerned about relapsing. Staff supported her to develop individualised safety plans and establish a network of community mental health resources.
Staff responded to her needs by tailoring the frequency and duration of her support sessions to meet her expressed concerns, at times providing daily check-ins.
During periods of depression and anxiety Erica’s self-care would deteriorate and she would isolate. In response, staff would offer to carry out food shops on her behalf, and provide gentle self-care prompts, and encourage her to go for walks with them.
With the Route One’s team’s knowledge and support, Erica was helped to:
• Maximise her welfare benefits to enhanced Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payments, and referred her to Minimal Asset Process to address and reduce debts.
• Negotiate her relationship with her Community Mental Health Team, including the ability to request her own medication reviews and relay any changes in her condition.
• Attend a work appeal to successfully clear her record of misconduct, which was the result of a manic episode, which will improve her future employability prospects.
• Engage with an eco-therapy project to aid her mental wellbeing.
• Register with Brighton and Hove City Council housing register, secure a general needs flat, and apply to Southdown Floating Support.
• Gain employment as a personal assistant, and cease Universal Credit and Housing Benefit claims.
This support and stability supported Erica to begin making sense of the new world she was experiencing, abstain from alcohol and substances, and develop insight and a new perspective on living with her diagnoses.
Erica left Route One having achieved her personal goals of being sober, living independently, and being back in employment.
Find out more about the work Route One does by clicking here.
