The past couple of years have been a real struggle for me. The pandemic and its impact on work hit me hard, and being self-employed, it really took a toll on my finances and mental health. I found myself turning to alcohol and battling PTSD from my time in the Army. Things took a turn for the worse – my marriage fell apart, we lost our home, and I hit rock bottom.
But in 2023, things started to look up. Marriage counselling and a referral to OP Courage, a veterans mental wellness programme, helped me get back on my feet. I underwent a 6-month stabilisation programme that was a turning point for me.
This year, I made the tough decision to file for bankruptcy and ended up in temporary accommodation. It's been a journey, but I'm focused on rebuilding my life and that of my family. I've had my fair share of job changes, but I'm thrilled about a new opportunity in project management that came through the veterans committee. It's a chance for me to get back on track and make a fresh start.