Nothing is impossible …..

My name is Chris and a number of years ago I was diagnosed with Paranoid Schizophrenia and Depression. When I came to AMH New Horizons 2 years ago, I was very anxious and apprehensive. I did not know what to expect and I was not very comfortable around strangers.

I was offered a variety of courses and I decided to start with a personal development course. I have completed many of these courses, all of which have been helpful and facilitated by some excellent staff. I have never felt that I have been put under any pressure and it has always been made clear what my options are. As a result, I am now more confident, a lot less anxious, I have better self esteem and I feel more able to deal with stress. I feel that my general social skills have improved and I have made some new friends.

In September 2013, I started an Introduction to Counselling Skills Course through College. I have since completed this course and I hope to progress to the next course in September of this year. I am currently applying for voluntary work with the Samaritans. I feel that I am now in a position to help others and if somebody had told me 2 years ago that I would be in the process of potentially becoming a counsellor, I would have thought that it was impossible.

I would wholeheartedly recommend New Horizons because it has been a significant help in my recovery from mental illness.

Thanks to Chris from Downpatrick