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Topic Tuesday // Finding community: Feeling belonging and connection // Tuesday 7th December, 7:00- 8:30PM AEDT

DaisydreamerSenior Contributor02 Dec 2021, 9:57 am AEDT

Topic Tuesday // Finding community: Feeling belonging and connection // Tuesday 7th December, 7:00- 8:30PM AEDT

Hi there SANE Forums Community,

This fortnight we invite you to join in a discussion about communities and the places where you feel connection and belonging. For many of us, finding community and people that we feel connected with can be a journey, and SANE Peer Support Worker @Former-Member will be joining us to share her experience of finding like minded people, and places she feels most connected.

Every person's experience of community is unique, and the path to finding belonging and connection can take many twists and turns. We would love to hear your experience of finding community, and your advice to others who may still be searching for places they feel they can be their authentic selves.

The role of community, connection and belonging in recovery

A big part of recovery for many people is finding spaces where we can be our authentic selves. Finding connection with others who share similar values, interests or experiences can help us to feel a sense of belonging, and reduce feelings of isolation.

For so many of us living with mental health concerns, there are times in our recovery journey we might feel really alone. I know I certainly have at times. Finding our tribe and our people can help us in our recovery, as belonging to a community promotes our social wellbeing, and allows us to be seen and held for who we truly are.

Join us to talk about the role of community, connection and belonging in your life, and how we can build up our dream communities.

Please join the discussion here on Tuesday the 7th of December 2021 from 7:00pm-8:30pm AEST to follow this conversation.

Want to know what time this event starts in your time zone? Check out the picture below:

Want to receive a reminder on the night? Hit the 'Support' button below and we will tag you 30 minutes before the event starts.

New to the forums or want to get involved in this discussion? Check out the How To Guide for Topic Tuesdays.

159 replies

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In response to: Topic Tuesday // Finding community: Feeling belonging and connection // Tuesday 7th December, 7:00- 8:30PM AEDT

Shaz51Senior Contributor07 Dec 2021, 8:13 pm AEDT

Re: Topic Tuesday // Finding community: Feeling belonging and connection // Tuesday 7th December, 7:00- 8:30PM AEDT

Hello @StuF 😀 talking a community to help us

In response to: Topic Tuesday // Finding community: Feeling belonging and connection // Tuesday 7th December, 7:00- 8:30PM AEDT

HenryXSenior Contributor07 Dec 2021, 8:14 pm AEDT

Re: Topic Tuesday // Finding community: Feeling belonging and connection // Tuesday 7th December, 7:00- 8:30PM AEDT

Hello @CapnWannabe

Just enter < Henry's Landing Strip and Hangar > (without the pointers) into the search box at top of forum page or click on my forum address @HenryX and scroll back a page or two in my profile

Cheers, @HenryX

In response to: Topic Tuesday // Finding community: Feeling belonging and connection // Tuesday 7th December, 7:00- 8:30PM AEDT

still_bookishSenior Contributor07 Dec 2021, 8:15 pm AEDT

Re: Topic Tuesday // Finding community: Feeling belonging and connection // Tuesday 7th December, 7:00- 8:30PM AEDT

My trauma history/cPTSD and extreme social anxiety are major barriers for me. I find it so hard to trust people. Throw a pandemic into the mix, especially in combination with my OCD, and things are suddenly so much harder. When I was just battling my brain mess, I could try to reason with it. Being out in the world and around people feels impossible now. I try to make connections online (via social media, here, etc.) but even that is hard.

In response to: Topic Tuesday // Finding community: Feeling belonging and connection // Tuesday 7th December, 7:00- 8:30PM AEDT

DaisydreamerSenior Contributor07 Dec 2021, 8:16 pm AEDT

Re: Topic Tuesday // Finding community: Feeling belonging and connection // Tuesday 7th December, 7:00- 8:30PM AEDT

It's a good point @chibam that finding connection after school gets really challenging. It can be hard to meet new people as an adult

In response to: Topic Tuesday // Finding community: Feeling belonging and connection // Tuesday 7th December, 7:00- 8:30PM AEDT

Unknown userMember07 Dec 2021, 8:16 pm AEDT

Re: Topic Tuesday // Finding community: Feeling belonging and connection // Tuesday 7th December, 7:00- 8:30PM AEDT

It definately gets harder to find opportunities to meet new people outside of school and work environments @chibam and I have found it takes a lot more effort to find people who are open to even having a conversation sometimes.
Have you found any communities through seeking out a leisure activity or hobby?
I feel that sometimes having an activity can also help with taking the pressure of the direct exchnage with others.
Makes me feel more at ease I guess.

In response to: Topic Tuesday // Finding community: Feeling belonging and connection // Tuesday 7th December, 7:00- 8:30PM AEDT

outlanderSenior Contributor07 Dec 2021, 8:17 pm AEDT

Re: Topic Tuesday // Finding community: Feeling belonging and connection // Tuesday 7th December, 7:00- 8:30PM AEDT

What does belonging look/feel like to you?

I wouldnt know, i dont really fit in anywhere.

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // Finding community: Feeling belonging and connection // Tuesday 7th December, 7:00- 8:30PM AEDT

Unknown userMember07 Dec 2021, 8:18 pm AEDT

Re: Topic Tuesday // Finding community: Feeling belonging and connection // Tuesday 7th December, 7:00- 8:30PM AEDT

Really happy to see a shared interest & connection with you both from this discussion!
@HenryX @CapnWannabe

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // Finding community: Feeling belonging and connection // Tuesday 7th December, 7:00- 8:30PM AEDT

HenryXSenior Contributor07 Dec 2021, 8:19 pm AEDT

Re: Topic Tuesday // Finding community: Feeling belonging and connection // Tuesday 7th December, 7:00- 8:30PM AEDT

Barriers can, I believe, be both internal, self generated and external, imposed either deliberately or unintentionally from or by others.

It takes time sometimes to sort out each factor and influence.

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // Finding community: Feeling belonging and connection // Tuesday 7th December, 7:00- 8:30PM AEDT

DaisydreamerSenior Contributor07 Dec 2021, 8:19 pm AEDT

Re: Topic Tuesday // Finding community: Feeling belonging and connection // Tuesday 7th December, 7:00- 8:30PM AEDT

I really relate to what you mentioned @still_bookish, my mental health often feels like my biggest barrier too. It sounds like you have taken lots of steps to find connection online, and as you mentioned with the current state of the world, it can be a good option.

For me, one of my biggest barriers was stigma. I was always really concerned about how other people feel about my mental health concerns, especially when I was having a hard day. It often meant withdrawing from social situations.

Over time I have found community with friends who are also going through their own mental health concerns, and we support each other. It really came down to feeling my fear, and doing social activities any way. It didn't always work out, but when it did I found people that I really value who see me for me

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // Finding community: Feeling belonging and connection // Tuesday 7th December, 7:00- 8:30PM AEDT

still_bookishSenior Contributor07 Dec 2021, 8:19 pm AEDT

Re: Topic Tuesday // Finding community: Feeling belonging and connection // Tuesday 7th December, 7:00- 8:30PM AEDT

You definitely fit in here, @outlander. You're an important part of this community.

P.S. I'm so pleased to see you're a Community Guide now.

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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.

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Aboriginal flag

Torres Strait Islander flag

Transgender flag

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.