Success Stories: Finding Work With Support From E Ara E
E Ara E is Odyssey’s service that supports 18-24 year olds with mental health or substance use challenges to get into work or study. The team works alongside tāngata whai ora to address the barriers that are getting in the way of employment or study, as well as helping them to work towards their goals. E Ara E is based on the IPS (Individual Placement and Support) model, which views employment as a health outcome that supports people to live meaningful lives that support their wellbeing.
E Ara E’s Clinical Manager Olivia met with one rangatahi named Mark, who got into work in December last year.
Olivia: What was life like a year ago?
Mark: Jobless, bored, feeling hopeless and also lost. I felt hopeless because it felt like everything I was trying wasn’t working out and I just kinda felt trapped in my circumstances.
Olivia: How were you feeling about yourself at that time?
Mark: Low in myself and doubting myself. Not much loving myself either. But doing my best to keep busy and not get lost in those thoughts.
Olivia: What was the hardest part?
Mark: The hardest part was applying. Not just the worries of them saying no, but the worries of them saying yes and not living up to the version of myself that I sold them.
Olivia: How did you not give up during that time?
Mark: I did give up a few times. But I let those feelings play out until I kind of realised that if I didn’t continue to try, my self doubts that I had about myself would come true. I would lie down, listen to sad music, have a nap, or a cry. In the past I would just force myself to continue like nothing was happening and I would get burnt out quickly. Now I would continue but acknowledge those feelings. Do what I can to keep going, but have moments to myself to just let those feelings out.
Olivia: When did things start looking up?
Mark: When I improved my social habits. Hanging out with more and new people helped a lot. I figured out I don’t have to put on a face to get people to like me, I can just be myself. It taught me to just let things play out. I don’t let my anxiety control me from staying away from people.
Olivia: How did it feel, getting a job?
Mark: Strange, it was different because when I got this one, I was happy and feeling kinda blessed. But I think it was a sign that it felt right. With other jobs, I felt worried and scared I would lose it. This one, it just felt like ‘this is a place I could belong’.
Olivia: Were there any difficulties when you started?
Mark: Normal things of starting a job, like not knowing how to use the equipment. But I remembered that it’s my first time there, it’s the first month, of course I’m not going to be good.
Olivia: What have been some of the good things about having a job?
Mark: I have stuff to do. Not relying on WINZ. I feel blessed cause the start and finish times are good and the pay is decent. But it also gives structure to my week so I can plan things in advance.
Olivia: What advice would you give to others who were in the same position as you were?
Mark: Kinda generic, but what helped me was keeping a good social life and social circle. Those people gave me enough energy to keep looking for a job and keep it. When you get a job, don’t be afraid to make time for yourself and smell the roses. Just keep going. Remember that you might have a tough time now, but things always find a way to work out. As long as you’re doing what you can, the opportunity will come - don’t listen to those voices or the news.
[Odyssey’s] Olivia and Sean also made me realise that if you’re doing E Ara E and you’re worried about not finding a job, at the end of the day, you’re young. And if you find a job, you don’t have to do it for the rest of your life.
Olivia: Any final words of advice?
Mark: If you’re worried about not getting your dream job, don’t worry too much about it, you’re young. You never know what’s going to happen. A lot can happen even in a few months - I started working in December and I could be a team lead soon. That’s the blessed thing about life, it’s constantly changing.
Final words - to quote the great philosopher Pitbull, “every day above ground is a blessed day, remember that”.
For more information about Odyssey’s E Ara E service, go to https://www.odyssey.org.nz/our-services/rangatahi/work-support