It was a mentally challenging journey and brutal recovery period. Despite being offered wellbeing support at the time, Dean declined it, feeling optimistic with his second shot at life.
This decision came back to haunt him, when more recently, he suffered a foot injury. Feeling as though he deserved the injury as punishment for not fulfilling his second chance at life, Dean’s whole world imploded.
It became a struggle to get out of bed each day, and Dean was left feeling like there was no way out. Sadly, this a familiar experience for the one in five New Zealanders suffering from mental illness each year.
After turning to a friend for support and being directed to a helpline, Dean was encouraged to reach out to AIA NZ, and was also flown across the country to receive support and a comprehensive treatment plan for his severe depressive disorder.
