Grant Cooper
Mental Health Promoter, Like Minds, Like Mine, Christchurch
My diagnosis of chronic depression was made in my early 20s and, at times, I have struggled with staying in long-term employment.
My first break came through a government-subsidised job at Templeton Centre, an institution for people with an intellectual disability, as co-ordinator of volunteers in the recreation department. After the subsidy ended, I was made a permanent, fulltime staff member. I was there for three years.
I found out after leaving the job that the manager who hired me knew all along that I had experience of depression. I really appreciate what she did and it gave a great boost to my recovery.
I then applied to be the librarian at the Mental Health Education and Resource Centre (MHERC). I felt my own experience of mental illness would be of benefit to the library users. Yet I was not prepared, initially, to disclose this fact, as I believed it would hinder my chances. However at the interview they asked, "Do you know of anyone that has had experience of mental illness?" It was posed in a positive way. I decided to disclose and explained that I felt it would be an asset. I was offered the job and have not looked back.
For four years, I have been a Like Minds, Like Mine worker, where my experience of unwellness is again seen as an asset. We often focus on the wrongs that are done, which we do need to, but we also need to celebrate and encourage those people and organisations that promote empowerment. These are the role models that New Zealanders need to see.
