After this first suicide attempt and further psychotherapy I was finally able to acknowledge anger that stemmed from my childhood years. I became even more angry when I learned that I had suffered the mental injury at school, inflicted by the toxic school environment. Over the following years I received ongoing support but still suffered flashbacks with associated anxiety and depression.
In the late 1970’s I took up a new job with the Department of Lands and Survey and this change unfortunately triggered further anxiety. This had an adverse effect on my work performance.
However, I continued to work at this department for two years before applying and getting a job at the Palmerston North Hospital in 1980 within the Medical Photography section.