By CAMERON LUCADOU-WELLS
AS Daniel Keith is quick to tell his Mental Illness Fellowship Victoria clients, he has done the hard yards.
Mr Keith, 26, is searingly honest about his mental illness and his past drug abuse. The combination of the two is termed dual diagnosis.
His chief poison was cannabis, which started as an occasional smoke with mates in year 8. It grew from a weekend regularity to a weeknight splurge over a few drinks.
At 17, he was working as an apprentice shopfitter and joiner when diagnosed with bipolar depression. Mr Keith believes the stigma cost him his job.
For the next nine months he was on a marijuana ‘binge’. Speed, cocaine, pills and trips became part of the menu; so did suicidal impulses. He was saved from dying by his own hand by a gun’s misfire.
Because of his drug-taking, his bipolar medication was not working as it should have. His condition escalated into psychotic episodes.
His mother and carer Leesa says Her son was never hospitalised for his episodes, but that may have been because he refused to go. “It was tough times. He’d be well and then he’d go backwards, start to get aggressive and abusive.”
Mr Keith says his lowest moment was hocking possessions including his TV and his father’s treasured guitar for cash. He still feels guilty about it. But as he tells his clients, he “won’t give up on life”.
The mother and son will form a compelling double act at a Dandenong, Casey, Cardinia Mental Health Network forum on dual diagnosis. They will speak on how they coped on a “hard road”.
“I just want to let people know there is help about. You just have to ask,” Ms Keith said.
Mr Keith is two years clean. He has been to detox three times but says the turning point was the support of his family, friends and workers at the fellowship. “When I talk to my clients, I tell them I’ve travelled that road. They know I understand what they’re feeling.”
The forum will also host workers from Southern Region Dual Diagnosis Service.
It is at Arthur Wren Hall, Stuart Avenue, Hampton Park, on May 2 from 5.30pm. RSVP by Friday to Janis Lee, 9212 3003.
