Bradley’s Story: Finding Support, Staying Grounded
Bradley* has lived a life full of experiences, challenges and reinvention.
Growing up in Melbourne’s northern suburbs, he left school early and admits he spent some of his younger years making poor decisions. Everything changed when he completed a trade apprenticeship and later joined the prison service, working at Pentridge Prison for more than a decade.
“That job got me out of all the bad stuff,” Bradley reflects. “It gave me structure and purpose.”
Throughout his career, Bradley worked across a wide range of industries, including corrections, manufacturing, pet care, retail and small business ownership. No matter where he worked, he tried to treat people with respect.
“I always treated people like people,” he says. “That’s important.”
Behind the scenes, however, Bradley was dealing with challenges that had followed him for much of his life. One of these challenges he would come to know as Intermittent Explosive Disorder.
For many years, he experienced intense periods of anxiety, stress and emotional overwhelm. More recently, a neuropsychological assessment led to a diagnosis of ADHD and depression, helping him better understand some of the difficulties he had experienced over the years.
“I can remember having these episodes from when I was young,” Bradley says. “Things would build up, one thing after another, until I felt like I was ready to explode.”
The combination of ongoing mental health challenges, disrupted sleep, memory difficulties and major life stresses eventually took a significant toll. In 2025, Bradley experienced a mental health crisis and attempted to take his own life.
After receiving emergency care, he was referred to the HOPE team, where he began receiving support from a clinical psychologist.
“That support was fantastic,” Bradley says. “I felt listened to and understood.”
It was through the HOPE team that Bradley was introduced to Mentis Assist and the Early Intervention Psychosocial Support Response (EIPSR) program.
“They thought Mentis Assist would be helpful for me, and they were right.”
When Bradley joined EIPSR, he wasn’t looking for a specific outcome or milestone.
“I didn’t really have goals,” he explains. “I just wanted support and someone to talk to.”
What he found was something simple but powerful: connection.
Through regular visits with his EIPSR Mental Health Practitioner, and participation in the weekly coffee group, Bradley found a space where he could talk openly, share experiences and connect with others.
“My EIPSR worker is wonderful,” he says. “She listens, we talk, we discuss things. If I need help with something, she’ll help connect me to the right support.”
For Bradley, the value of the program isn’t measured by ticking off goals or completing tasks.
“The achievement is in the conversations,” he says. “It’s having those honest discussions with someone who listens.”
The weekly coffee group has also become an important part of his routine.
“It’s nice to sit down, have a coffee and talk to people. We talk about all sorts of things—dogs, fishing, life in general. There’s always something to chat about.”
One of the things Bradley appreciates most is the sense of stability the program provides.
Following the retirement of his long-term psychiatrist and the lengthy process of finding new supports, there were times when he felt isolated and unsure where to turn.
“Having Mentis Assist there gives me peace of mind,” he says. “If something happens, I know there’s someone I can call.”
Today, Bradley continues to focus on staying well and looking ahead. He enjoys spending time with his beloved dog, who accompanies him on boating and camping adventures, and is planning a future move to East Gippsland where he hopes to enjoy a quieter lifestyle closer to the water.
While his mental health journey continues, Bradley says he feels more grounded than he did a year ago.
“I’m more comfortable now,” he says. “More settled.”
When asked what he would say to someone who is struggling with their mental health, Bradley’s answer is straightforward.
“Reach out and talk to someone,” he says. “A lot of people need that face-to-face support, someone they can trust. That’s what Mentis Assist has been for me.”
For Bradley, recovery hasn’t been about finding all the answers. It has been about knowing he doesn’t have to face the challenges alone.
(*name changed)
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