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Ladywytch1New Contributor
How can you fight the stigma of mental illness in the community when doctors and nurses in ER use phrases like 'frequent flier', refuse treatment above bare basics and make patients agree to trauma management plans outlining minimal help when the patient agreeing has been dosed on morphine and ketamine for the past 12 hours.
Breath!
Sorry, but I'm so angry and confused right now.
In response to: Fighting Stigma
ShiningStarSenior Contributor
Hi @Ladywytch1
I just wanted to reach out and welcome you to the forums - it’s great to have you here 
I’m so very sorry to hear about your recent experience in the Emergency Department - of course you feel angry and confused!
Addressing the stigma associated with mental health issues can be incredibly challenging and I can really hear what seems to be a sense of despair in relation to this - especially when you shared: ‘how can you fight the stigma of mental illness in the community when doctors and nurse in the ER uses phrases like ‘frequent flier.’
Although addressing stigma is challenging, one of the things that I passionately believe is that irrespective of the mental health issues that we live with and / or how many times we require medical care, we all deserve to receive care and support that is respectful, compassionate and free of judgement - and I’m just so sorry and disappointed that this wasn’t your (and your loved one’s) experience 
With everything that’s happening for you right now, I just wondered if you have any support for yourself?
If you feel that some additional support would be helpful for you, you’re more than welcome to contact the SANE helpline Basically, the helpline is staffed by qualified mental health professionals who provide support to people who are living with complex mental health issues. They also provide support for people (i.e. family members and friends) who are concerned about and / or caring for someone who lives with a complex mental health issue 
I’ve contacted the helpline on several occasions and I’ve always had a really positive experience where I felt supported and understood
If you would like to contact them, their telephone number is:
1800 18 7263.
They operate Monday to Friday from 10.00am until 10.00pm AEST.
In addition to providing support via the telephone, they also provide support via web chat and email
Sometimes it can be difficult to get through on the telephone, but if this is something that you’re interested in you’re more than welcome to schedule an appointment via their website - that way you can guarantee that you’ll be able to talk with someone on a day that best works for you I’ve just posted the link below, in case this is something that you would like to explore further:
https://www.sane.org/counselling-support
Also, just while I remember, one of the things that really helped me when I was new to the forums and still finding my way around, was that if you would like to chat with another forum member, or reply to one of their posts, place @ in front of their username just like I did at the start of my post to you i.e. @Ladywytch1 that way, they will receive a message that you have contacted them
Please remember that you’re always welcome to reach out here whenever you need Nothing is too big or too small and you’re welcome to share whatever feels safe and comfortable for you (as long as what we share adheres to the community guidelines )
I hope that this helps you a little bit
Take care of yourself,
ShiningStar
Help us push aside the stigma and discrimination surrounding complex mental health and change the way people talk about, and care for, mental illness.
SANE acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.
SANE values diversity. We are committed to providing a safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive service for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.
Help us push aside the stigma and discrimination surrounding complex mental health and change the way people talk about, and care for, mental illness.
SANE acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.
SANE values diversity. We are committed to providing a safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive service for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.
You’ll soon be able to use one secure login to access all SANE services.
For added security, members are now required to log in with their email address and password - member names are no longer supported for logging in.
If you had a Forums account before 19 May 2026 and haven’t set up your new login yet, you'll be prompted to set up your new secure login when you sign-in.
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