hello

Hello @rivergal

I like your focus on wellness strategies. For me it is the way to go. I have been advocating as hard as I can in my own way. I do not focus so much diagnoses, however they do play a role ....

Here is an article

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/apr/24/prevention-not-cure-we-cant-just-approach-mental-health-from-the-disease-end

Welcoome aboard the Sane Crew.

Apple

Thank you for posting the article. @Appleblossom

In my societal demographic i have access to an abundance of mental health professionals which i tap into it when needed due to the chronicity factor.

A lot of my earlier mental health illness problems were related to forms of abuse, either directed or towards me (physcially and emotionally, housing instability and Drug and Alcohol use) or sustained by me.

I was fortunate to have access to the mental health system and support from family and friends.

I don't think enough Mental illness support is available for families of origin, young people and the marginalised but i think that would be the greatess impact for mental wellness strategies over a lifetime.

https://humanrights.gov.au/about/news/speeches/towards-national-child-wellbeing-strategy

@rivergal

I believe in the trauma aspect of mental health issues. I think too much emphasis was put on genetics, and the science is still not clear. It keeps showing us that genetics is more complicated than green or yellow beans of Mendelev. Yes there are predispositions.

Families of origin need to be open to working on things. Some do and some dont. The development of Carers Groups is a way of including family of origin and any who are in caring role.

I am a big believer in better care in the COMMUNITY. However recent experience (as a carer for my son) of current Community Mental Health setup ... seems very limited.

Hi @rivergal and welcome. I am in my 50's and was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder at 23yo so basically had it all my life. I live in Melbourne and have been successfully able to manage my symptoms and have not had a hospital presentation for roughly 20 years. I take my meds and have been compliant although have not seen a shrink in over a decade. So I've kind of been doing ok in the community although I know there are many people out there with worse mental health profiles than me. But I am compassionate accepting and non judgeing. Anyway thats a small intro from me. I hope you are enjoying the long weekend!

@Appleblossom thank you for your reply, after reading i looked at articles about trauma related to mental illness , found ACE score which I had never read about.

When I was a young adult 30 years ago i spent 9 months hospitalised and the genetics concerns was a source of blame and conflict for my parents.

Carers Groups has been an excellent resource for my husband and son.

Community in Care is definitely the place to build social strengths as the health system is stretched.

Thankyou @Former-Member for your reply. I'm glad to hear of others in their fifties with long term living experience of mental illness that have stabliity with symptoms and are able to manage in community well. Thank you for your compassion and acceptance. Only a 2 day weekend this year for me this anzac day. Enjoy!