topic Re: Mental Illness Awareness and Support Thread in Community Spirit

Mental Illness Awareness and Support Thread

bluecat*dancing — Mon, 24 Feb 2014 13:56:10 GMT

Let;s see how we go.

Re: Mental Illness Awareness and Support Thread

lloydslights — Mon, 24 Feb 2014 21:15:20 GMT

Okay, I'm here.

First step taken.

I have undiagnosed depression now. Nearly 30 years ago I was hospitalized for 3 weeks with a "disorder" of the mind. In that place, I thought "I shouldn't be here, these other patients are crazy". I realized later on, that mental illness affects us in different ways.

20 years ago I kept up 6 months of appointments with a psychiatrist. Never on medication. I thought just talking would do the "trick" to just "get over it".

That old thing called "pride" stands in the way of treatment.

I have 3 children. 2 boys who live interstate.

One I saw (with my two grandaughters for the first and only time) for an hour last October for the first time in over 5 years (not his fault). He rang me on Xmas Day.

The other son I hadn't been in contact for over 2 years. I rang him in early February.

The reason I made no effort to see them was "I didn't want them or the grandaughters to see and witness my weakness of mind.

I have a daughter who lives about a 3 hour drive away. She is diagnosed with Bipolar. She has made some poor choices in life.

It is very tiring for me to support her at times; more so due to me having a lack of mental strength. We talk on an average weekly.

I am visiting her this afternoon and staying for a few days.

I wonder if this thread will still be here when I return.

I hope for everyone that it is still here. We may help the community become more educated and supportive of the affects of mental illness.

DEB

BEHIND THE MASK - SOFTLY, SOFTLY

Re: Mental Illness Awareness and Support Thread

windrake — Mon, 24 Feb 2014 21:22:26 GMT

My Sister has suffered all her life, her son has been exceptiional in his care for her. Our mother was eccentric and there has been suicide in my family history.

I know it's hard and I commisserate with families and their partners who have to deal with it. It's a sensitive topic and sometimes there's no relief from the worry.

A careing friend doesn't stay too long, it's too draining to deal with day after day so a caring thread is nice for a change. Thanks for your kind post and thanks for the opportunity to put down on paper what is not often discussed easily.

We all know where to go for professional help and Lifeline is a great listener, there's such a lot of support for families now, Beyond Blue, Lifeline and other NGO's so that's a good thing.

Thanks again

Re: Mental Illness Awareness and Support Thread

lloydslights — Mon, 24 Feb 2014 21:26:15 GMT

It took me over an hour to give my "resume". You all popped up in front of me! I guess I need some practice at putting my thoughts to paper.

Can I suggest, that if we are responding to a message that we put the number of that message in our reply? Some confusion came about in previous threads that caused some heartache and anger that looked to be at cross purposes.

DEB

BEHIND THE MASK - SOFTLY, SOFTLY

Re: Mental Illness Awareness and Support Thread

youcandoityoucandoityoucandoit — Mon, 24 Feb 2014 21:36:12 GMT

Re: Mental Illness Awareness and Support Thread

youcandoityoucandoityoucandoit — Mon, 24 Feb 2014 21:42:32 GMT

Not sure what happened there..

Thank you to all who have already posted, I think that in being vulnerable and sharing your stories, you are brave. You are giving insight to those who lack it, and a chance for them to become more sensitive and develop more empathy. The world needs that.

I too hope this thread can remain and give support to those who need it.

Re: Mental Illness Awareness and Support Thread

lloydslights — Mon, 24 Feb 2014 21:43:16 GMT

To your # 11

I take so..... l o n g ..... to type my message that sometimes that identity has written a couple times. Let's see how I go.

Good on you all.

Deb

BEHIND THE MASK - SOFTLY, SOFTLY

Re: Mental Illness Awareness and Support Thread

lurker17260 — Mon, 24 Feb 2014 21:52:08 GMT

I have nothing up add on the topic, but just on the technical points you raise Deb.
I usually read and post on my iPhone. I can't see any post numbers nor can I direct answers to any one post. I think they all automatically respond to the OP. Quoting is a PITA too.
Perhaps, if people are responding to a particular post they need to be quite specific.

Re: Mental Illness Awareness and Support Thread

*pepe — Mon, 24 Feb 2014 22:29:13 GMT

@darksideofthemoon wrote:
It took me over an hour to give my "resume". You all popped up in front of me! I guess I need some practice at putting my thoughts to paper.

Can I suggest, that if we are responding to a message that we put the number of that message in our reply? Some confusion came about in previous threads that caused some heartache and anger that looked to be at cross purposes.

DEB

BEHIND THE MASK - SOFTLY, SOFTLY

Deb you highlight their message and then cut and paste it you can then answer it and everyone will know what you are referring to. I can tell you how if you have an Apple Mac, but I expect you have Microsoft and we will need someone with Microsoft to explain how to you 🙂

you just need to click on the post you want to reply to then click on the blue quote button on the top right corner.

good luck with this thread, I hope it goes well for everyone posting, but please keep in mind its not a private thread so only post what you are comfortable sharing with the whole world.

Re: Mental Illness Awareness and Support Thread

izabsmiling — Mon, 24 Feb 2014 23:28:14 GMT

Hello Bluecat

I admire you and always have and I think that you know that.I wish you and everyone else who posts here all the very best..

I don't post what I am about to post easily nor without very good reason (I wouldn't post it otherwise) and I do it out of concern for others .I wish I didn't have the personal experiences which are the reason for my concern.

I posted as you know on the last Mental Health thread.As a carer I shared experiences in the hope that I was helping and also raising awareness.It took a lot for me to do that...but some like to or don't want to see it that way...it will to them be a weak thing to do .I know as most should where the weakness actually exists for people who do that...but knowing that doesn't mean it can't hurt when that sort of information is used by the wrong people (those same people can enter and read ANY thread)

especially when things are really difficult in RL as anyone who has mental illness in their lives knows well.The difficult thing is that if that info isn't there others don't know when those times are ...then again those who do give others a hard time over such things may tend to not care if they know when those times are ...and even see their target at his/her weakest point (in RL) and take advantage of that.

I cared and worried and lost sleep over posters on the thread .At the time I considered many to be 'friends'.The reality of course is that I knew no one personally and the longer i am on the boards the reality of that becomes clearer and clearer.I, unfortunately learnt to be careful and keep a bit of a distance because the truth is that all posters can be anyone ,anyone can read and use what you post to hurt you in the most painful of ways,If not now..then later on down the track .There are also people who will take advantage of others kindness and hurt them even while doing that .My weakness was that I would forgive too much if I thought another poster was doing it tough.I could be played like that and looking back I didn't need that in my life and it made my life more difficult when it was already difficult enough .I think everyone should know that their own health,safety and wellbeing comes first and that if ever a poster feels the need to hurt others or is being hurt by others and you can't overcome that...please for your own sake and the sake of all who post here consider the need to step back a bit and address those things.

In an ideal world the shared discussion here is safe from abuse and we would all be safe,happy and well and genuinely good people to boot .Reality isn't like that.My words didn't come out how I want them to...please know my intent is good .

All the best to this thread and each and every poster who posts within it

Re: Mental Illness Awareness and Support Thread

izabsmiling — Mon, 24 Feb 2014 23:42:32 GMT

I wish someone had posted something like that for me to read when I started .

Re: Mental Illness Awareness and Support Thread

2106greencat — Mon, 24 Feb 2014 23:51:03 GMT

Thanks for the thread

It is a great idea, some need to talk about things, others feel better just reading and confirming that they are not as alone as they somethimes feel.

Re: Mental Illness Awareness and Support Thread

luna-2304 — Mon, 24 Feb 2014 23:54:41 GMT

Hi everyone,

Please be well aware that this is a public forum and sharing personal experiences and information about your personal life is not always the best option.

This thread has the full support of the Moderation team, we just hope everyone considers their information well before sharing it on the Discussion Boards.

Regards,

NatashaK

Re: Mental Illness Awareness and Support Thread

izabsmiling — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 00:00:52 GMT

That's good Natashak

Raising awareness is hard ...when reality isn't as we'd like it to be or how it should be.Reality can be like that .

Re: Mental Illness Awareness and Support Thread

joz*garage — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 00:07:33 GMT

@izabsmiling wrote:
I wish someone had posted something like that for me to read when I started .

why? (dare i ask)

Re: Mental Illness Awareness and Support Thread

icyfroth — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 00:17:13 GMT

With all due respect, wouldn't you have more privacy if you started up a group over on Groups?

Re: Mental Illness Awareness and Support Thread

the_hawk* — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 00:17:39 GMT

@purple_haize wrote:
No worries Deb, see how you go.

I see a mental health care nurse weekly, and my dr. fortnightly, they are at the same clinic and work together in caring for me. I am on a 2yr. plan to see the nurse and medicare pay for it.
I think it is something new the govt. has introduced.............

Nearly every day in the last 14yrs since Tim died, I have just wanted to go and be with him, only things holding me back, I dont want to hurt my daughter, and my grandkids.
My daughter suffers depression also, 5yrs ago, she gave birth to a little girl that was stillborn, so she has not only lost her adored brother, she has lost a child as well.

I am on so much medication, at times I dont think it helps much.

Not wanting to inflict that pain onto others you care about is the only thing that keeps many here

Re: Mental Illness Awareness and Support Thread

izabsmiling — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 00:20:38 GMT

@joz*garage wrote:
@izabsmiling wrote:
I wish someone had posted something like that for me to read when I started .
why? (dare i ask)

I'd never been a part of any discussion board or forum

I didn't have a clue about how some people behave online

being more aware back then would have helped .

Re: Mental Illness Awareness and Support Thread

izabsmiling — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 00:25:57 GMT

@icyfroth wrote:
With all due respect, wouldn't you have more privacy if you started up a group over on Groups?

Perhaps? but if people want a thread and they should be able to have a thread here... everyone needs to just be aware as Nastaska posted.

Re: Mental Illness Awareness and Support Thread

azureline** — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 00:30:27 GMT

Great thread Bluecat! hope it travels well and helps everyone.

Groups are all very well but destined to be just a group, who would see it and know it is there? If people are mindful that it is a sensitive issue and consider the nature of the things they share, it can work.

Respect should be applied to EVERYONE in here.

When I first saw the title, my immediate thought was Mental Health Awareness and Support?