Rufus's story

Life before Response

Rufus lives with depression and anxiety, challenges he experienced for many years before coming to Response in 2021. During this time, he went through a series of mental health breakdowns and struggled to manage his mental health.

Rufus explains that he received his diagnoses later in life, as there was not a sufficient understanding of his conditions earlier on. As a result, he spent a long time struggling with his mental health without fully understanding what he was experiencing or why. These experiences had a significant impact on his life, and finding the right support became an important step towards helping him manage his challenges.

Finding Su

Finding Support with Response

Since coming to Response in 2021, Rufus feels he has made progress, particularly in building his self-confidence. He recognises that recovery is not always straightforward. Some days, it can feel as though he is taking one step forward and two steps back, and there are times when progress feels difficult to see.

However, having support available when he needs it has made a meaningful difference. Rufus speaks about the practical and medical support he receives from Response and how much he has been helped by being here. This support helps him navigate the challenges he faces, including the more difficult days, while continuing to work towards greater confidence and wellbeing.

Rufus’s experience highlights the importance of recognising that everyone’s journey is different. Progress does not always happen in a straight line, and having the right support alongside you can make a real difference in navigating life’s ups and downs.

Experiencing grief

In 2023, Rufus experienced a profound loss when his mother passed away. He describes her as his “Champion and Protector”, a reflection of the special place she held in his life and the importance of their relationship.

Rufus misses his mother terribly, and her loss has been a significant change in his life. Despite the grief he continues to carry, he tries to live in a way that would make her proud. Her memory remains an important part of his journey, giving him something to hold on to as he navigates life without her.

Rufus’s story is one of perseverance through mental health challenges, personal loss and the ups and downs of recovery. While life has brought significant difficulties, he continues to move forward in his own way, with the support of Response helping him navigate the challenges along the way.