Edging back to happiness | Auckland News | Local News in Auckland

A Birkenhead depression sufferer has been given a new lease on life. Finding work is a big part of that, she tells Sophie Bond.

The woman who strides into Mink Boutique is a picture of confidence in her bold, colourful dress, chunky jewellery and warm smile. It's not until we sit to talk that Trish McCracken reveals how tough it can be to get through each day, and what a triumph it is to be employed and independent.

"I might dress well but, inside, I'm still struggling," she says.

The Birkenhead resident suffers from depression and for five years has been a client of Edge Employment, a service of the Action for Mental Health Society covering Rodney and North Shore City. She says Edge gave her support at a time when she didn't feel life was worth living.

"About nine years ago I was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder because I was self-harming." She reveals the patchwork of fine scars over her forearms. "I was very, very unwell and was in hospital a lot."

Mrs McCracken began therapy with Waitemata District Health Board's Community Mental Health Centre. "I ended up going into care at Segar House (for people with psychological disorders) for 18 months because I was doing myself harm. Once I got back into my own house I knew I needed to look for work because I felt if I didn't do something in my life, I was going down the tube."

The centre referred her to Edge. "My consultant helped me find my first job at a fabric store in Takapuna."

She says work was challenging but she stayed in the job until the business closed. "I got a really good reference, so I ... went out and looked for a job myself. I always tell a potential employer about my mental illness because I think it helps people understand me better."

Edge team leader Emma Carreon says consultants help people draw up a career plan, identify job expectations, then look for appropriate positions.

"Our support is ongoing. Clients can stay with us as long as they need to. We have about 85 to 90 per cent job retention. We are limited by the number of employers but there are some who have been working with us for a long time and who will ring us when they have a vacancy."

She says Edge wants employers to know mental illness is no hindrance to having a good worker so long as the support is there. "We're not asking for pity, we're saying, 'Here is a person with skills and experience and we believe they match what you're looking for'."

When Mrs McCracken chose to change jobs earlier this year she applied to Mink Boutique at Albany Westfield. She was called in for an interview the same day she lost a finger in a boating accident. She laughs. "I was lying in hospital but I said, 'Sure, I can come in two days' time'. I'm a strong person so I'm determined to keep working and fighting my battle with depression."

Leading edge

Edge Employment is a finalist in the Not for Profit category of the 2010 Westpac Enterprise North Shore Business Excellence Awards. The winners will be announced on September 3.