A young person named Adam began counselling sessions and consistently participated in his sessions in order to deal with his anger management issues and suicidal thoughts. Adam also needed support in dealing with anxieties surrounding his court cases, which were very serious.
Adam was very sceptical at first as he has strong trust issues which go back to a long history of not having his parents there for him. His father left the family when Adam was only 12 years of age and they have only recently regained contact. Adam is now 18 years of age.
When Adam became known to South West Youth Services he was living in a car. As a result of his family breakdown, he was getting into all sorts of trouble with the law. Adam was faced with serious prison time. Adam felt he needed to deal with his issues as he knew he was headed down a path he did not want to go.
He had no support from his family; his friends who he had experimented drugs with; abandoned him as soon as he made the choice to no longer use drugs.
With no friends or family; Adam became suicidal, depressed, and expressed that he no longer felt life was worth living.
Adam was referred from JPET; there he was going to the gym and getting help on accommodation issues. When he was referred to counselling, Adam was ready to give up. After a few sessions, there was a rapid improvement, in that Adam incorporated his sessions and used it for everyday living. One small improvement after another slowly built back Adams self esteem. He began to value life, he made new friends, and he was active in applying for various jobs and volunteer work. He finally secured work, where he still is employed mowing lawns. He is now in a healthy relationship with a childhood friend.
Both JPET worker and Counsellor wrote support letters to the magistrate stating the good work Adam has accomplished in such a short time. The letters were considered and Adam received a good behaviour bond.
Adam applied a lot of what he learnt in his sessions to his everyday life, and found that its impact was positive. Adam’s anger management improved so greatly that he
himself was proud when he was providing feedback of a situation he was in and how he managed to utilise his new skills on managing the situation in a positive manner. Adam set short term achievable goals. He is slowly rebuilding a relationship with his father and little brother. Adam’s priorities have changed from sex, drugs, and crime; to stability, family, work and his future.
Adam is a wonderful example of someone who was severely disadvantaged. He came from a broken home, he mixed with the wrong crowd in order to belong; he ended up doing things he wasn’t proud of. But Adam was committed to accepting help, that his life in his words was ‘ on the right track finally’ .