Stories of Hope: An Interview with Linda Cole
This is part of a series featuring individuals who share their life experiences with mental health issues. Recently, I asked peer mentor Linda Cole about her journey and her current activities. Here’s our interview:
DS: Tell us about when you first started becoming aware of concerns related to your mental health. How did these issues continue to affect you before you sought treatment?
LC: I became aware of my mental health concerns at about 22 or 23 years of age. I was working at a convenience store when I was about to become homeless again. I was working the afternoon shift when I took a whole bottle of Advil. At the time I had very few friends and I did not know how to tell the ones I had that I was in trouble.
I had moved from Northern Ontario to a town in Southern Ontario and had come from a very broken home. I had lived most of my childhood in foster care where the care was worse than my home life.
When I took the pills, I wasn’t thinking about dying but I wanted the pain to stop. I got scared after taking the pills so I called an older friend who came and got me and took me to the hospital. My friends did gather round me and did their best to try to support me.
I was hospitalized for a few weeks, then went to a day program. I started therapy, but even at the time I didn’t really understand what was really happening to me. I spend many years figuring out what I needed to do to heal myself.
DS: What was the turning point that led you to decide to seek help?
LC: I think for me the turning point was when I was just fed up with being unwell. I didn’t want my past dictating my future. I wanted to be free and whole. I wanted to achieve things, I wanted to be able to love myself and others.
DS: What has your treatment and self-care consisted of, and what have you found that has worked well for you?
LC: In the beginning of my treatment journey, it was hospital, day programs and private therapy. I did these things for years. I spent more time in hospital than I did out in the early 90’s.
Then the treatment that really worked for me was my friends. I created a support circle with each person playing a different role and it really worked.
I then went to a counselor who truly believed that I could be well and deserved to be well. I worked with her for years and I had my support group for a few years until I decided I didn’t need one anymore.
Slowly I began to heal and grow. I learned who I was and that what happened to me as a child was not my fault nor did I have to let it define me.
Just recently in my continuing journey to wholeness, because it doesn’t end, I created a small support circle to help me face a difficult situation and it is helping me tremendously. They don’t do for me, they do with me.
DS: How are things going for you now? What challenges are you still facing? What have you learned that has helped you stay positive and healthy?
LC: I am working full time as a Peer Mentor. I love my job, but life has it’s ups and downs and sometimes I have gotten sick again. But it’s ok, I know what to do. I ask for help. I have created my support circle and have gone back for private counselling.
I have learned that it is important to ask for help when I am becoming unwell. I have learned to recognize the early warning signs for me. I make sure that I use my wellness tools such as massages, aqua fit, walking and other such things. I take time for me and my wellness.
DS: What would you like to say to encourage others who are still working on their journey of recovery?
LC: I would say be true to you, listen to your gut. Take time to learn about you. Figure out what strategies work for you to begin the healing journey. Recognize that this journey is lifelong and worth it. Never give up on you, even when others do.
About Linda
My name is Linda Cole, I am 56 years old and I live in Cambridge Ontario and I grew up in Sudbury Ontario. I work as a peer mentor and I love my job. I have a service dog named Marley. I love to hike, swim and color. I like to spend time with my many friends. You can connect with me on Facebook.
Thanks so much to Linda for sharing her inspiring story of hope!
Would you like to share your story of hope? I plan to feature more personal accounts like this from time to time on my blog. If you are interested in sharing your story, please notify me via my contact page. Also, please subscribe to my blog and feel free to follow me on X (formerly Twitter) or Instagram, “like” my Facebook page, or connect on LinkedIn. Finally, if you enjoyed this post, please share it with a friend. Thanks!