What you've told us:
- Stories you've agreed we can publish.
- Support for our 30th birthday appeal.
- Feedback from young people (in their own words)...
I feel that no matter what’s happened, good or bad, it’s helped me become who I am now and whatever life throws at me I am able to cope because I don’t feel lost or trapped anymore.
I’m going to university now and have worked hard to prepare for this
Counselling has given me a more positive outlook for going back to college
I don’t feel depressed for so long or so often. I don’t feel now that it is always my fault that things have happened to me
Coming to OTR has made me feel less alone as I can talk to someone and tell them how I feel
I have become more confident in trying new techniques for communication which has helped to rebuild trust with partner, friends and members of my family. This in turn has helped me with my relationships and become more confident with who I am and clearer on what I want.
Having someone who listened to me and heard what I was trying to say and not be judged.
It’s helped me think before I do something and how to handle situations where I am in the wrong.
I feel two foot taller! I’m beginning to understanding my feelings more, and I cry less.
It’s been brilliant; I would recommend it to anyone.
Breathing techniques, over coming own fears, learning to trust own feelings and way of being.
Suicide was a silly idea.
Helped me become more aware of myself.
Gives me a boost, inspires me to get through the week, but still feel I need more counselling.
I feel less angry now.
I’ve overcome depression and got help for my bulimia and come to terms with my past sexual abuse.
It has been amazing to have a friend to talk to. To realise that as a person I am who I am and that’s good. To help me see I’m worth more than I’ve been giving myself credit and to give me the time that is just about me to realise all this.
I have been able to offload and see that I have to take responsibility for my own feelings. I have been supported as I’ve attempted to tackle difficult issues with my step dad and my real dad.
I’m calmer, happier and less paranoid. I’ve now applied to university. The process of counselling has helped me.
It’s given me tools to help with everyday problems and taught me to accept myself. It’s helped me with decision making and allowed me to deal with difficult areas of my past. It’s improved relationships with family members and friends, and enabled me to grow as a person.
Being able to express how I feel. Learned not to blame myself for what had happened. Gained some self worth but not entirely.
My talking and communication is better, the counselling has helped me to get my nightmares out of my system. The counselling has helped me to talk and trust myself more in what I feel.
I don’t feel so down as when I first started and I can manage my own feelings better.
I appreciate that some of my past behaviour was OK; I was not abnormal. I now feel better equipped to deal with things emotionally.
I feel understood – am looking forward to going to my new home with balcony and view of the sea!
Counselling has helped my to talk about my life and to have a normal life without panic attacks.
Friends like the new me!
It has helped my understand who I am and how I deal with situations.
My confidence has been boosted.
It has helped with my anger and I feel more confident, organised and settled. I feel the Support Workers here have helped too; it feels good when I come in.
It has helped me come to terms with what has happened and helped me be more open and talk to others. If I never had counselling I don’t know what I would have done. I’m closer to my mum and dad now. I feel like my life is going somewhere now.
I have actually found out more things about myself and made me realise communication is the best thing.
I feel so much better about myself and feel able to come back and talk to someone if I need to – felt supported.
I approach things differently now.
I felt after only one session that I have got some skills, confidence to tell my mum how I really feel about her.
Improved relationship with my girlfriend and parents. Feel more in control of my behaviour.
I can work through my anger and feel that I can come to terms better over the situation of loosing my granddads.
Helped me to communicate better with my daughters and others. I have learnt to ask for help.
Counselling has enabled me to find a home, be self-sufficient. I am more confident and will be going back to college to improve my abilities.
I’ve been able to express my inner feelings.
It helped me really well talking to someone different outside friends and family, I’m not depressed no more.
Do you have a story to tell?
Has Off The Record helped you? Were you a young person or a volunteer? Please send us your story by e-mail or complete our on-line My Story form.