Hope Found

Think on Good Hello and welcome to think on good, we offer a curation of community services and treatments, giving you insight to what works in managing a healthy mind,

coming up we find out one way to access the right resources

when dealing with the difficult changes in a crisis situation. today we welcome our guest Julie who was able to find support at Hope House Espresso at the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. We have Julie joining us today. Thank you, Julie, for joining us.

you welcome,

Let's look at Hope House Espresso, how did you find them or they find you? I actually know Mike Julie's son for a long time and the family and yeah I rang him up and had a conversation and said I'm not really in a good place and he actually told me about hope house and things progressed from there to actually speak to Julie and then i was able to come from where I live in Brisbane and stayed with some friends who were on the coast and yeah a few things happened that were really amazing and I got some wisdom. a lot of wisdom from both Mike and Julie and it really was life-changing in sometimes you just need other people speak into your life and say things that you probably thought but you kinda lost the plot a bit and sometimes you need others to kinda bring out what you are not able to do at the time. And definitely need other people around you to help draw out sometimes things that you're struggling with or not quite sure how to deal with.

so, it is good you were able to call them and talk to them and come and see them face to face. What came out of that for you? What were the challenges you were facing at the time?

I had a lot of health issues. I moved from Mackay down to Brisbane. It was like I was totally out of my comfort zone in lots of ways, and I lost the plot a bit. Physically, mentally, emotionally and I was seriously not well, like ill and medication, I think I needed some help to kinda get back up again. because I just gone and got myself in a big ditch and I think I didn't really think I was there until I was. I don't know if that makes sense or not, but I felt so disconnected from real life and other people and I sort of lost myself, in the move and everything like that. A big move like that is very stressful anyway, when you are moving away from people that you know. How has Hope House Espresso helped you to then make connections again and get help?

Just encouragement to connect with the people that were around me particularly a church, it's actually a Spanish church and my housemates have been a great help in that regard but just looking at other services around me as well. I connected with a, she's a worker, she works with the council and helps you connect back to the local area and yeah looking just at what are the options around me for me to connect and engage with other people. What services they have and what groups and different things like that. What are some of the things that you started doing that you weren't doing before to connect? Unfortunately, I still had the physical health issue, but I've got some art that I do just colouring in and so forth, some art and craft and i have been to a few of the neighbourhood centre and yes only when I could. How has that helped you? Doing the art and craft? I love, I have always been a very creative person, and it sort of bought me back alive. Because I was sort of like a little mushroom just sitting there. Just doing nothing because I just felt so awful. And what would you say to other people that feel that they are feeling isolated but want to connect to others. Well, the hardest thing is the reaching out but because I have really loving friends, ah and they said you really need to get help. And yes, I can't do this crying all the time and I didn't realise how deeply depressed I was and sometimes you don't know where you are until you actually get some help, medical and otherwise as well. And other people are like you are not doing as well as you think you are so, just having those other people around. Letting you know they care and they are there for you if you need them. What were some of the resources that Hope House Espresso helped you pull together? Going to a couple of the information evenings that they had in the cafe and that was interesting. One of them was interesting. One of the ladies was about, very good or she made her career in money management and things like that and gave us all a book on how to do what you need to kind of get stuff with organising yourself from practical tips on how to get going with that. That's really good that helps. What would you like to say to others? what helps you to keep connected and to stay in that frame of mind day to day? What's the day-to-day thing you would say is good for others as well as yourself? Well sometimes just going back and seeing myself as it was and how difficult it was, and I didn't really want to talk to anyone or anything like that and that is really not me. I've always been outgoing and happy and joyful and I wasn't and sometimes through no fault of your own you just end up there because you don't want like make it hard for other people or be a problem or something like that. But it's not a problem when other people come along side you, no that's right when I thought about it, I thought well I'm always more than happy to help someone else but sometimes accepting help for yourself is the hardest thing, so you have to kinda humble yourself and really say I, I need help. I've got to do this. What do think the one thing there is a gap in services out there, I know that hope House has helped you a lot but what do you think there is, something practical that is missing? I think as you get older you think I can handle this I know what to do but you don't you don't know everything and needing other people is not a problem, it's something we all need. that's right. thank you for coming along today and sharing your story. it really does help other people to know that it is important to connect and Hope House Espresso is one of the steps in the right direction. One of those resources that you drew on. I'd love to know what's your daily inspirational or your favourite saying? or quote?

All things work together for good for those who love God, according to His purpose. Because many times you think to yourself, this is not good, but you know what if you have the right attitude in your heart, you say I haven't got a clue, but you do, can you help me out here and let go. That's what i had to do, let go of control, I tried to be in control and the more I tried the harder it became. Like because I was already, you know off the rails and just being honest with other people and say I am not doing well and yeah go this way, go that way whatever, go see a doctor. That's good, that's all great advice. Thank you again for joining us Julie, Thank you.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis situation and needs support with homelessness, financial hardships, relationships changes, loneliness and trauma, go to hope house espresso website to fill in the form. A Hope House Espresso representative will be in contact with you to set up a meeting in person or over the phone. Hope House Espresso will then assist you by coordinating and drawing on resources to provide support. This could be helping to register for housing, providing meals and at times counselling.

alvos Connect assessment line: 1300

Hope House Espresso is a not-for-profit cafe connecting the local and broader communities.

To support this work go to the website to donate or follow the socials and come along to a special event or simply visit the little pink cafe at Alexandra Headland, Queensland.

Think on good is a program offering information for mind health and is not intended to replace medical treatment, professional advice or diagnosis. If you or someone you know is experiencing mental health symptoms for immediate support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14

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