For 25-year-old Nova Marmion, a desperate struggle against mental health issues took over most of her young life, but as she clawed her way out of the dark, she became determined to help others who are struggling to see the light.
After her sister passed away when Nova was 16, she admits she wasn’t the easiest teenager to raise, and it was an awful time for her whole family. However, they’ve all learned so much since those hard days.
“I struggled with mental health my whole life. I’ve been through quite a journey to find the right medications and treatments but have managed to improve quite a lot through Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and life changes,” Nova said.
“A couple of years ago, I wasn’t able to work, study or maintain relationships and I was very unwell. Now I’m studying, working, have an amazing relationship and I’m doing much better.”
An inspiration in the mental health sector, Nova received the David Perrin Award at the ACT Mental Health Month Awards on Friday 29 October for her own successful recovery journey and her commitment to working in the community to improve the lives of others struggling with complex and chronic mental illness.
“I’m quite excited, it’s an honour to be nominated and I never expected something like this, but it’s just such an honour,” Nova said.
“The lady who nominated me, Natalie Malcomson, runs a DBT program and I volunteer there now. It’s been really great, and she’s been quite a pivotal person in my life.”
After a few diagnoses over the years, Nova was diagnosed as having bipolar disorder and has spent around six years trying to find the right medication that worked for her.
She said there’s no one size fits all treatment program for everyone, and there are always more options for people to try.
“You don’t have to recover or improve your mental health in the way other people might think you should. There’s a different approach for everyone and no one single way to improve it, just don’t give up,” Nova said.
“Six years sounds like long time, but in the grand scheme of things it’s just a tiny fraction of what your life could be if you just stick with it, because your life will be longer and happier if you do.”
Nova didn’t complete year 12, and said she has always really struggled with school and studying. However, through improving her mental health, she’s been able to study a Certificate IV in Mental Health and a Diploma in Community Services.
“I love it! I love soaking up all the information and I’m hoping to graduate next year,” Nova said.
“I’ve always really wanted to work in mental health. Since a young age, I’ve had an interest in psychology, I guess because of my own struggles. I just want to help others and make a difference and I think through my own experience, I have a lot of unique insight to offer people.”
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