Covid laws and mental health

I think your question is really important @Wattleseed and one I have been asking myself too. The ongoing constantly changing 'rules' each day, and long 'stay at home' orders definitely contributed to my son's distrust of government and authority, and his feeling that he is being watched and controlled which is a part of his illness actually was really happeneing to everyone so it made him feel so much worse. The way the government has shamed people who have had covid, and now shamed people who distrust the vaccines, is appalling. It has politicised a health issue which I think should never happen. Our 17yo has been hesitant to have the vaccine and we have supported him with that. Fortunately for him, he has managed with the ongoing restrictions so far. He just started a new job and hasn't been required to have the vaccine, but he will consider it if he has to in order to keep his job. Of course, the 'rules' around who can or can't work with the vaccine vary across states, so in some states such as WA it is nearly impossible to find a job where mandatory vaccine isn't required. What disturbs me is that the messaging from government fails to understand that for people who were already living with mental ill health, what they have said and the way they have treated the public has exacerbated the mental ill health of many people.

I'm rambling as you can see, but yes, how are people going to manage/earn/live if all avenues to do so are blocked to them? I tried to seek an exemption for my son from having the vaccine on the basis of mental health concerns as he views the vaccine differently to us (we've all been vaccinated in our family) - his distrust of the government and the vaccine does directly relate to his illness. No luck so far, it seems exemptions are only for people with physical medical conditions, not mental ill health conditions.....

Good question @Tinker67 @Wattleseed

The pandemic should be called The mental health pandemic it sure hasn't done my family any favours with my son back in hospital!

I hope you can find compassion around your body your choice 🙏

@Wattleseed @Tinker67 Hey folks, I can totally understand the frustrations, fears, and sense of scrutiny over this situation. Many people have legitimate reasons to have difficulty or hesitations for getting vaccinated, and mental health issues are a big factor. It's especially difficult to be restricted after so long being stuck in lockdown. It does feel a bit like there is a division happening, but there will be an end date in the not too distant future when unvaccinated people can start to reintegrate more fully into society (the dates of which differ from state-to-state). We are still in the early stages of rollout, as well as still trying to combat the spread of the virus, so it might be some time before things settle again.

I really don't believe that this will be the case. Have you looked at the permanent pandemic legislation Dan Andrews is pushing?

If it passes into law, you can be certain that the other states and territories will follow.

For me, it's not just about a vaccine: it's about the breakdown not just of a society that has aspired to be just and free, but of humanity itself.

Why would I get a shot I don't want just so I can live in a society that obviously despises me, and people like me?

It's been 40 years since my first suicide attempt: approximately 14600 days I have survived despite debilitating depression and suicidal ideation. I have the skills (and medication) to survive my mental illness.

But I face losing everything I have worked so hard for all these years simply because I won't allow the authorities to bully me into having something injected into me that I don't want. And most of society is okay with that. So I'm faced with a real dilemma.

I hear you @Wattleseed

You matter 🙏

I know my sentiments don't change the situation but I hope it helps you feel less alone knowing that you are heard here x

hey @Wattleseed @Tinker67 @Anastasia @Jynx

Glad you brought it up. The media dialogue feel like it's not helping. If anything my mental health traits (and condition) put me in the pro-safety camp. Not ignoring the realities of team-pro-freedom either. We're all people. We all need freedom to be safe and safety to be free.

"Needs" is the word I keep coming to. As well as rights "rights". The "rights-based approach" without the needs based approach is screwing us up right now. Don't you think? That's what I think. I love the right-based approach, but after going through the shamozzles we've been through, I'm getting more and more convinced the the needs-based approach is ignored far too much.

People who worry about safety should still be protecting freedom and same goes the other way around. Why? We need to. Otherwise, this thing we have right now. All echo chambers. No synergy. We're not even having the right conversation. So, once again, thanks. Gotta start somewhere.

👂 @wellwellwellnez ❣️

I agree that the conversations have been the wrong conversations @wellwellwellnez . Our perspective in our family is that 75% of us got vaccinated to help care for and protect from illness the 25% of our family that doesn't feel comfortable with the vaccination. We understand and support his decision and will remain loyal to him no matter what.