Georgia: compassion, connection and the power of being heard
When I first reached out to Penumbra, I was in a place I can only describe as lost. I had been directed to the South Angus Mental Health Peer Service through the Angus Mental Health Hub at a time when I didn’t know who to talk to, didn’t feel safe talking to anyone, and yet knew – deep down – that I desperately needed someone.
Penumbra became that someone.
Having this service available has been life‑changing for me, and by extension, for my child. It’s not an exaggeration to say that Penumbra has been a lifeline. I am profoundly grateful that this organisation exists, and that they support their workers so they can support people like me—people in crisis, people who are scared, people who are trying their best to survive.
And that’s how I met Bronwyn.
I don’t know how to fully capture the impact she has had on my life. What I do know is this: Bronwyn has changed me—truly, deeply, and in ways I didn’t think were possible.
Her support, her guidance, and the resources she shared with me have been the foundation of my survival in recent months. She listened—really listened. She held space for my feelings when I couldn’t hold them myself. She helped me understand my needs, gave me clarity when everything felt foggy, and offered permission to rest when I believed rest was failure. She praised me in moments where I felt undeserving of anything but shame.
Bronwyn has this remarkable ability to blend science, research, and lived experience into something that feels gentle, digestible, and grounding. She never overwhelmed me; she met me exactly where I was.
Before working with Bronwyn, my inner world was harsh. I doubted myself constantly. My self‑talk was cruel. I felt like I was failing at everything – motherhood, coping, being a person.
Now, I have self‑compassion. I understand my emotions. I recognise what’s happening in my mental health instead of drowning in it. I have healthier coping mechanisms.
One of the biggest changes has been in my sense of safety within myself. I no longer feel the urge to harm myself—something that once felt impossible to imagine. My panic attacks have dramatically reduced too, and even when they do happen, they feel less frightening. I understand what’s happening in my body now, and I have tools that help me move through them instead of being overwhelmed by them. That shift alone has changed the way I move through my days.
This progress hasn’t just helped me – it’s helped my child. I’ve been able to advocate for both of us in ways I couldn’t before. I’ve even shared some of Bronwyn’s tools and insights with my child, and they’ve become part of our everyday life.
One moment of my journey stands out. I told Bronwyn about a decision I’d made – one that made my life easier, but that the old me would have labelled as “failing.” I told her I made the decision because I knew she would be proud of me. And she was. That mattered more than I can express.
I have been in crisis for much of the time I’ve worked with Bronwyn, but her kindness, compassion, empathy, and complete lack of judgement have been a springboard for my healing. She has helped me see myself differently. She has helped me imagine a future that doesn’t feel impossible.
On the days when survival was the only thing I could manage, she helped me find small moments of joy. She reminded me that I am still here, still trying, still worthy of support.
I am endlessly grateful to Penumbra, and especially to Bronwyn.
Their work doesn’t just help people – it transforms lives. Mine is proof of that.
