Melanie Bragg reflects on her upbringing as a mix of positive experiences tinged with instability. Born in Townsville in 1993, she moved through eight different schools and lived in about ten different houses before she became a teenager. The family of six was always on the move due to her dad being a builder and her mum in real estate. As the eldest of four, Melanie took on responsibility early, especially when her mom unexpectedly became pregnant with triplets, though sadly, one didn't survive.
Her dad worked tirelessly to support the family, while her mom managed the kids on her own. Melanie’s teen years were tough as she was taught that emotions were bad, and often, she was told to suppress them. This led to depression and a sense of isolation. Her struggles spiralled into anxiety, PTSD, acts of rebellion, suicidal thoughts, and self-harm.
The hospital visit from her father after a self-harm incident was a turning point showing Melanie that her family cared deeply. After fourteen years of trying various traditional therapies, with no significant progress, Melanie was feeling profoundly broken.
Discovering trauma literature, like "The Body Keeps the Score," by Dr Bessel van der Kolk, and Johann Hari's "Lost Connections," was transformative and offered new insights and therapies. This knowledge was instrumental in changing the course of Melanie’s healing, offering her a clearer perspective on the various paths to recovery.
Thanks to the guidance from these books, Melanie immersed herself in researching psychologists who specialise in various therapeutic modalities. Fortunately, she found one that offered a diverse range of up-to-date and research-backed therapies. Not every approach suits every individual. Melanie finds it frustrating to see mental health care relying on one-size-fits-all solutions when everyone's circumstances are different.
Through these therapies, combined with a therapist, Melanie has come further in two years than in the last sixteen years of therapy and other approaches combined.
She has had some incredible moments since then: Looking into the eyes of a humpback whale, receiving heartfelt hugs from grateful individuals, raising funds for mental health, backpacking across Europe, and appreciating life's beauty. Yet, the most profound has been learning self-love.
For many years Melanie didn’t believe in herself, nor the care the mental health system could provide. Therefore, she avoided working in it even though she was passionate about the subject. Melanie has worked in sales, marketing and management, organised events, and even hosted whale-watching tours. Now, for the first time, she is exploring the mental health field, working at Harmony Pathways and Fraser Coast Disability Services, and starting at Wide Bay Hospital Service. Last year, she completed Mental Health Cert IV and now is pursuing Mental Health Peer Work IV. It's early days, but she is proud of taking these new steps.
Rob, Melanie’s partner, is a firefighter and army vet, whose strength and kindness aid Melanie’s healing. Together for seven years, the couple recently bought their first home in Hervey Bay and share it with their beloved Rottweiler, Zico.
“Our life is built on love and mutual support, paving the way for future possibilities, " says Melanie.
Over the next twelve months, Melanie looks forward to continuing to embrace newfound love and freedom, enjoying time with loved ones, pursuing personal growth, sustaining positive changes, diving into the mental health field, and advocating for mental health awareness while inspiring others with her story.
She has learnt to value and understand herself and embrace past decisions. Despite life's ups and downs, Melanie loves who she is and now lives not just to make others happy, but because she genuinely wants to. This newfound self-love and desire to live for her own sake is empowering.
By Kim Parnell
from What’s On Fraser Coast
