Seaneen Molloy is a young, bright woman who was devastated by mental illness. Diagnosed as bipolar and after a lengthy stay in a psychiatric unit she was discharged with nothing. Read the story here of how she recovered and rebuilt her life with the help of benefits.
“People who are ill want to recover. But they need support in place to do that. Without the basics, there is no way up. There are people who will not be able to work, and they should be supported because they are fellow human beings; they contribute to society in more ways than work.”
Reads the full story here:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/dec/17/benefits-helped-turn-life-around
Phoenix is the editor of this site and was diagnosed with bipolar twenty years ago. In between 8 periods of illness and hospitalisation she trained as a garden designer and was a awarded an RHS Diploma, gained a first class degree in Cultural Studies and a Certificate in Education that enables her to lecture in Recovery in Mental Health to psychiatric nurse students and mental health professionals at universities.
Phoenix leads a diverse life which she attributes to Wellness Recovery Action Planning and all aspects of Recovery. In the last 2 years she performed stand up comedy. Laughter truly is the best medicine! Now she is concentrating on being involved in improving conditions for inpatients and service receivers trustwide. And training in WRAP, Recovery Star and the new Advanced Statement and some gardening for health. Also with some great new art projects. 
