Finding her way back to herself: Vikki’s story

For most of her life, things had felt steady for Vikki*.

She had worked in a job she loved for nearly 20 years, surrounded by routine and a strong sense of purpose. Outside of work, her world was centred around her partner and family – they were close-knit and connected, and her heart was full.

Then, slowly, things began to change.

Without warning, Vikki would burst into tears – at work, at home, even mid-conversation. There was no clear trigger, no pattern, and no way to stop it once it began. She had no idea why she was suddenly experiencing this.

The episodes became more frequent, often happening during moments when her thoughts would spiral. The uncertainty heightened her anxiety and began to affect her relationships.

Wanting answers – and determined to hold onto the life she knew – Vikki reached out for support about hearing about Sonder’s Northern Adelaide Medicare Mental Health Centre through her workplace. She was connected with peer support through the centre’s short-term care stream.

By the time she arrived for her first session with Senior Peer Practitioner Chris, she felt overwhelmed and unsure of what to expect.

“I always check in with the guest to see how they’re feeling,” Chris says. “Vikki told me she felt daunted coming here, as she didn’t know what to expect. I told her that first step is the hardest, but also the most important.”

Searching for answers

In their sessions Vikki began to talk openly about what she was experiencing.

The episodes were happening multiple times a day, often without warning. The unpredictability made it difficult to trust herself in everyday situations. She also worried about how her emotions were affecting her family.

“She felt like she was putting pressure on them,” Chris says. “She didn’t want to upset them, so she started to pull back.”

Conversations became shorter. Visits became less frequent. Even at home, Vikki began to withdraw. Slowly, she was losing sense of connectedness with her family, and in turn, a big part of herself.

“She was just… lost,” Chris says. “Completely sad and unsure of what was happening to her.”

Noticing something more

As Vikki and Chris explored her day-to-day experiences together, another concern began to surface.

“She mentioned she was starting to forget things,” Chris says. “Just small things at first – but her partner had noticed it too.”

Drawing on his own lived experience of supporting people with dementia, Chris gently encouraged Vikki to seek further medical advice. With the support of her partner, she visited her GP and underwent further assessment.

Vikki was diagnosed with early stages of dementia.

“It was confronting,” Chris says. “Of course it was.”

The diagnosis brought a wave of new fears – about the future, her memory, and her identity. She was especially worried about forgetting her children’s names. It also meant making the difficult decision to leave her job.

“She was losing a lot of herself in one hit,” Chris says. “Her work, her memory, her sense of who she was.”

And yet, within that uncertainty, Vikki also found clarity.

“It gave a name to something that had felt hard to define,” he says. “It helped her understand what was happening.”

Walking alongside

Throughout this time, Vikki continued to engage with peer support at the Northern Adelaide Medicare Mental Health Centre, with additional sessions approved following her diagnosis.

Chris focused on creating a space where Vikki could speak openly and feel understood.

“It’s about being open, being honest, and creating a space where someone can talk without feeling judged,” he says. “You’re not there to fix it. You’re there to walk with them.”

Together, they explored practical strategies to navigate day-to-day challenges, from using reminders at home to managing overwhelming emotions. Vikki also worked with her GP and specialists to review her medication, which helped reduce the intensity of the crying episodes.

One of the biggest steps was opening up to her family.

When she did, response was immediate and reassuring: “Of course, Mum. We’re here for you. We’ll work through this together.”

From that moment, something shifted. Part of that was because she was no longer carrying everything alone.

“Her whole demeanour shifted,” Chris says. “She was smiling again. There was a lightness about her. She said once she told everyone, she could finally relax and she didn’t feel like a burden anymore.”

As Vikki began to feel more supported, she started reconnecting with the things that brought her joy.

She returned to quilting, a hobby she had once loved but had set aside. She and her partner began going for walks again. Recently, they even went on a cruise together.

“She’s back to doing the things she enjoys,” Chris says. “Living a full and meaningful life with her partner and her family.”

What support can make possible

Over the course of her care, Vikki’s psychological distress score (K10) dropped from 36 (very high distress) to 11 (low/no distress) – a significant shift that reflected the real change in her everyday life.

“She’s engaging again,” Chris says. “That’s the biggest difference.”

For Vikki, the impact of that support was deeply felt. She expressed heartfelt gratitude for the care received, sharing that she couldn’t have navigated the experience without it. Vikki describes reaching out as one of the best decisions she had made – and told Chris that he changed her life.

For Chris, her story is a reminder of the power of that first step.

“You’re admitting you’re struggling, and that’s not easy,” he says. “But once you do, you’re met with people who will listen, who won’t judge, and who will walk alongside you.”

Support when you need it

At Northern Adelaide Medicare Mental Health Centre, support is available. Whether that’s a single conversation to help you get back on track, or more longer-term care depending on your needs.

The centre is open at 23 Gillingham Road, Elizabeth for immediate, free and confidential support – no appointment or referral needed. From there, the team will work with you to understand what’s going on and connect you with the right care.

This might include:

• Peer support, where you can talk with someone who brings lived experience and understanding.
• Immediate safety planning if you’re experiencing distress, hopelessness, or thoughts of self-harm.
• Short-term support, including peer support, focused interventions, or counselling or therapy.
• Longer-term support, such as care coordination, therapy, and ongoing support to help you stay safe and well.
• Support is also available through Healthdirect and over the phone.

These supports are designed to step up or down depending on your needs, because no two journeys look the same.

You’ll be supported by a team of experienced peer practitioners, clinicians, and medical professionals, with culturally safe options available for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, LGBTQIA+ communities, and those who prefer to access support in another language.

Northern Adelaide Medicare Mental Health Centre is open every day of the year:

• Monday to Friday: 8.30 am – 10.30 pm
• Weekends & public holidays: 12 pm – 6.30 pm

For more information, visit sonder.net.au/medicare-mental-health, or you can contact us on 1800 565 774 or at medicarementalhealth@sonder.net.au.

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*The client’s name has been changed to protect privacy.

This service is provided by Sonder and funded by Adelaide PHN, the Australian Government and the Northern Adelaide Local Health Network.