Donny has come a long way since teaming up with EPIC’s Upper Mount Gravatt team over 90 weeks ago. After being out of work for a couple of years, Donny was ready to find support and get back in the workforce.

“I have depression, anxiety, sleep apnoea and Graves’ disease. I was out of work 2013 and 2014 after the onset of my medical conditions. I was in and out of jobs and found it really hard to find a rhythm,” explains Donny.

“I have done lots of things in my time, but I am the master of none.”

EPIC Mental Health Consultant Snezana has worked closely with Donny for two years, and remains impressed with his attitude and commitment.

“From the beginning, Donny was always determined to work with me to address his mental health barriers,” says Snezana.

“He participated in all our sessions wholeheartedly, completed his homework between sessions and remained committed to making progress and achieving his employment and personal goals.”

Donny has now been happily employed with Just Traffic Solutions for six months. His job involves looking after the safety of pedestrians, protecting fellow workers from hazards, setting up sites, signs and road and lane closures, exercising safe work practices and completing paperwork.

“If I didn’t have this job, I wouldn’t have as much freedom to do the things outside of work that I enjoy doing. It is keeping me in the workforce as a contributing member of society,” says Donny.

“I’m taking it one day at a time, but I’m feeling positive about life and about the future.”

Snezana says Donny’s hard work and willingness to tackle issues has also opened doors outside the world of employment.

“While Donny is now employed and seeing the positive outcomes of this, he is also engaging in hobbies, socialising and working towards bigger goals over time,” says Snezana.

“Through the process Donny had good and bad days, and it certainly wasn’t painless and easy, but his commitment and perseverance got him through the tougher days.”

Donny says his EPIC support network have been an essential component in turning his life around.

“Snezana has helped me address my mental health and assisted me to put things into perspective over the last 2 years. I have a long road to journey due to my illnesses, but I know I am not alone,” says Donny.

“Ebony has gone above and beyond in trying to help me anytime I have needed it, as she always has my best interests at heart.

“Everyone at EPIC has stuck by me this whole time and have never given up on me. I’ve needed that kind of support in my life!”