“The Old Me is Back”

A decade ago, Eric O’Brien felt like he had nothing to live for.

“I felt asleep everywhere I went,” he said. “My body was there, but my mind wasn’t. I was nothing more than a routine.”

Today, Eric is eight years sober, living independently, working full time and building a life he once believed was out of reach. With support from Unity House’s PROSperity program for mental health (PROS), Eric is rediscovering what he is capable of.

“All the resources are here if you’re willing to put in the work,” he said. “PROS gave me that support system. I’m back to who I was: a ‘nothing can stop me,’ confident kind of guy. I’m so grateful.”

In 2015, Eric’s mental health became difficult to manage. He lost his job. He felt hopeless and alone. He was constantly tired, felt pressure in his head, and had trouble walking. He was also navigating an abusive relationship that eroded his confidence and independence.

“My whole problem was listening to someone tell me I wasn’t capable,” Eric said. “I heard it so often that I started to believe it… I basically let go of my freedom.”

Eric got sober in June 2018, but his journey was far from over. After being diagnosed with anxiety, bipolar disorder and OCD, he survived a suicide attempt in 2020. Doctors discovered a benign tumor and fluid in his brain. Surgery to remove the cyst was followed by seizures, cardiac arrest and weeks in a coma.

Eric first connected with PROS later that year but was still experiencing complications. He struggled to engage with the program and left after three months.

When Eric returned to PROS in May 2022, things began to change.

Eric began working with PROS Practitioner Erika Van Tassell. Together, they identified goals that mattered to him. Eric established routines, strengthened social connections and focused on returning to full-time employment.

“Each time I came to PROS, I felt like I could cross another thing off my checklist of who I wanted to be,” he said.

Slowly, that checklist became reality.

Eric learned more about his diagnoses and how to manage them. He participated in mindfulness, gardening, music and cooking. With encouragement from staff, he tried techniques to improve his motor skills, mobility and cognition. They worked.

“It’s all about skill-building,” he said. “I genuinely believe PROS helped reconnect some pathways in my brain. That’s when the magic happened. It’s like a switch flipped.”

In February, Eric moved into his own apartment, leaving the abusive relationship behind. With support from PROS, he began applying for jobs. In May, Eric started working in sanitation at Cayuga Milk in Auburn – his first job in years.

“I’m just proud of me,” he said. “I just want to spread positivity and tell people they can do it.”

Today, Eric is financially independent, off psychiatric medication and no longer relies on public assistance. Outside of work, he rides his bike, plays bass guitar, reads the Bible, exercises and looks forward to graduating from PROS soon.

But his biggest accomplishment is how he sees himself.

“I love myself. I love life. I’m a spiritual person now. I found God. The old me is back — and now it’s full speed ahead.”