Christine

Christine has made huge steps towards her recovery goals and learned new ways to manage her finances as she explores art classes, women's groups and arts and leisure programs, all while making new friends and increasing her fitness.

Christine is 58 and was diagnosed with severe clinical depression five years ago. Christine has been hospitalised on several occasions, and on two occasions she agreed to undergo Electro-Convulsive Therapy as the anti-depressant medication was not effective in managing her depression. This has had some therapeutic benefit and Christine's level of functioning has improved.

During one of her stays in Calvary Hospital, Christine was linked with a recovery support worker at Richmond Fellowship ACT as part of her discharge planning. Christine and her recovery worker agreed that she needed some domestic assistance to help her settle back home, and Communities@Work provided gardening and cleaning help.

One of Christine's recovery goals was to enrol in an art class. With the support of her recovery worker, Christine joined the Belconnen Community Service Arts and Leisure program. Belconnen Community Service organised community transport for Christine to enable her participation. In addition to her art classes, Christine joined a Women's Group and a Healthy Body and Minds class through the Arts and Leisure program. These activities helped Christine make new friends and increase her fitness levels.

Managing household finances is an issue that can affect people if or when they are incapacitated due to illness. As part of her future planning, and with the support of her recovery worker, Christine has appointed the Public Trustee as her Power of Attorney to oversee her property and financial affairs when she is unable to do so due to illness or incapacity.