Craig

I recently attended recovery camp held at Yarramundi in January 2023.

Although I have long considered my attendance at a camp, it is only in the last 4 years I have more aggressively pushed my plan manager to participate.

I am a long-time sufferer of mental health issues. Over the years, I have received more diagnosis labels than I now care to either recall or recite. I guess it was probably natural, I was excited to arrive at camp, if only rather apprehensive & questioning should I be here? Upon arrival at the camp Recovery Camp staff quickly set about making you feel welcome as an individual, they then explained some basic rules and camp information. The pace of the activities from day 1 is very well planned and kept me engaged and challenged, whilst socialising and feeling both supported and valued. Nurses, students and Recovery Camp staff did their utmost to take time to understand my individual mental health journey and current status. I accept with absolute humble graciousness, the genuine empathy displayed to me by so many, having sympathetically discussed my mental health journey. To meet and bond with fellow participants whilst doing a wide variety of group and individual activities proved stimulating and helped improve my drive throughout the experience. Importantly, over my time at camp I discussed and heard many similarities of treatment including system and process failures from other attendees. There was no intention to deride the current mental health system but to where possible, provide honest, possibly confronting, feedback on the many deficiencies and some positives of one part of our very stretched health system. Activity, fun and connectedness are the main attributes I take with me from participation at Recovery Camp. I believe myself fortunate to have established the blossoms of friendships that I hope will prove on going and it is my hope to attend future camps.