Cassie’s story: The small steps that changed everything.

For Cassie, recovery has been a journey of taking small, meaningful steps forward.

Living in regional Victoria, Cassie is a passionate plant lover, LEGO enthusiast and someone who enjoys spending time outdoors with her animals, family and friends. But behind the things she loves, Cassie’s journey has included years of navigating complex mental health challenges, physical health struggles and addiction.

By her late teens through to her mid-30s, Cassie had been diagnosed with multiple mental health disorders. Over time, these challenges began to impact many areas of her life, including her ability to connect with her community and return to work.

“I was struggling with my mental and physical health. I couldn’t access community or work, and combined with my mental health and addiction, I felt very alone, depressed, misunderstood and in chronic pain,” Cassie shared. “At that time, I felt like I had no purpose and was falling deeper into despair.”

Cassie was referred to Stride by her drug and alcohol counsellor, who recognised she needed additional support to reconnect with her community and begin rebuilding her confidence. “When I first engaged with Stride, I wasn’t feeling hopeful. “But the more time I spent engaged with the Bendigo PRS program, I really started to feel better about my future.”

From her first interactions with the team, Cassie felt welcomed, respected and supported. “It was amazing. I honestly needed that support at that time. I felt supported, connected to good people and never felt judged.” For Cassie, feeling safe and understood made all the difference.

“The support, the care and the people. I think it takes a special kind of person to do a support worker role.”

“Everything felt private and safe.”

Cassie credits Stride Mental Health Support Workers Rebecca and Hannah with helping her take those first steps forward.

“They really supported me in my recovery, and I felt seen. I was coached into the belief that you’ve got to start somewhere, no matter how hard it was.”

Through her support with Stride, Cassie began to reconnect with her strengths and explore what was possible for her future.

One of the achievements she is most proud of is returning to study and enrolling in further education, something that helped her rediscover a sense of purpose.

“I have found purpose by re-enrolling in TAFE and being able to look forward to my future.”

Cassie has also noticed changes in her confidence and ability to advocate for herself.

“I feel more confident to be able to communicate with different support workers and identify my needs and wants in my current situation.”

Things that once felt overwhelming, like communicating with services and accepting support, have become achievable steps in her recovery journey.

“I am able to communicate now with different services with reduced anxiety.”

For Cassie, progress is not about rushing ahead, it’s about recognising each step forward.

As Cassie continues her journey, she has discovered a new goal: supporting others who may be experiencing similar challenges. Inspired by the compassion and support she received, Cassie hopes to become a support worker herself.

“With lived experience and the passion I have after being supported by the Stride team in Bendigo, I can give back and support other people within my community facing mental health challenges to feel safe, seen and valued.”

Cassie’s journey shows the ripple effect of support: when people are given the opportunity to heal, they can go on to create hope for others.